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Average Price: $4,399

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$500

$1201+

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Description

Stepping into the spotlight with its vintage charm and exceptional quality, the 1960 Gibson ES-330T revives the golden era of music. Unlike its semi-hollow siblings, this fully hollow beauty dances between the realms of warm, vibrant tones and the crisp clarity that only a P-90 pickup can deliver. Ideal for the purist seeking authenticity in sound and aesthetics, this guitar represents a piece of history that continues to resonate with musicians across genres. Its lightweight, double cutaway body offers comfort and accessibility, making it a favored choice for those long, inspired sessions. A true testament to Gibson's craftsmanship, the ES-330T is more than an instrument; it's a bridge to the past, ready to carry its legacy into future melodies.

Key Features:

  • Fully hollow double cutaway body, without the center wood block found in semi-hollow models
  • Equipped with a P-90 pickup for that unmistakable vintage tone
  • Neck joint at the 17th fret, enhancing playability
  • Classic Tune-o-matic bridge paired with a trapeze tailpiece
  • Iconic block inlays on a rosewood fingerboard
  • Standard Sunburst finish, embodying the essence of its era

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-330T
Finish Cherry, Natural, Sunburst
Year 1959 - 1963
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Red, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-330
Model Sub-Family Gibson ES-330T
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the 1960 Gibson ES-330T?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330T offers a warm and resonant tone due to its fully hollow maple body and single P-90 pickup, making it ideal for jazz, blues, and rock genres.

Is the 1960 Gibson ES-330T suitable for live performances?

Yes, the 1960 Gibson ES-330T is suitable for live performances, but its fully hollow body can be prone to feedback at high volumes, which is something to consider for louder settings.

What is the neck profile of the 1960 Gibson ES-330T?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330T features a comfortable, slim-tapered neck profile, which is favored by players who prefer fast and smooth playability.

How does the 1960 Gibson ES-330T differ from other Gibson ES models?

Unlike other Gibson ES models that often use humbucker pickups, the ES-330T is equipped with a single P-90 pickup, providing a distinctively brighter and more articulate sound.

What type of music is the 1960 Gibson ES-330T best suited for?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330T is best suited for jazz, blues, and classic rock due to its warm, articulate tone and responsive playability.

frettedamericana

frettedamericana

1960 Gibson ES 330 T 00883

Video thumbnail for 1960 Gibson ES 330 T 00883 by frettedamericana

1960 Gibson ES 330 T 00883

frettedamericana

frettedamericana

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson ES-330T | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson ES-330T | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson ES-330T Sunburst | HOME EDITION: Tomo Fujita at Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson ES-330T Sunburst | HOME EDITION: Tomo Fujita at Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1960 GIBSON ES-330T by Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

1960 GIBSON ES-330T

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1960 GIBSON ES-330T by Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

1960 GIBSON ES-330T

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES330T Sunburst 1960 played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo by TFOA Demos

Gibson ES330T Sunburst 1960 played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique single pickup design offers simplicity and character

  • Warm, jazzy, and gnarly tones with the original P90 pickup

  • Comfortable neck/body attachment ideal for players with shorter reach

  • Excellent sustain and feedback control for expressive performances

  • Vintage appeal with a rich history and heritage

  • Offers great acoustic sound quality alongside electric performance

  • Lightweight and not neck-heavy, enhancing playability

  • Affordable compared to two-pickup versions

  • Versatile sound range from throaty growls to sparkling clean tones

CONS

  • Upper registers past the nineteenth fret are difficult to access

  • Center pickup placement may interfere with picking for some players

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1960 Gibson ES-330T.

Features and functionality

  • The 1960 Gibson ES-330T is a true hollow body guitar, unlike the ES-335 which has a center block, affecting both tone and weight.

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  • Natural finish ES-330T models are the rarest, with only 294 produced before discontinuation in 1960.

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  • It's suggested that the ES-330T originally used tape wound strings, contributing to its distinctive vintage tone and playability.

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Value and pricing

  • Natural finish models are estimated to be worth around $10,000, while sunburst and cherry finishes are valued approximately at $6,000.

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User experience

  • Owners report the guitar sounds great both unplugged and plugged in, and is notably lightweight.

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  • Some owners caution against wearing clothing with hard materials, like jean jackets with buttons, to prevent finish damage during play.

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  • Bringing a guitar stored for decades back to life is described as a rewarding experience, emphasizing the durability and timeless quality of the instrument.

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  • The guitar is celebrated for being played actively, suggesting its value as both a collector's item and a working instrument.

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Build quality

  • Commonly features a diamond-top trapeze tailpiece, differing from the Bigsby or Gibson vibrola seen on some models.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Tape wound guitar strings, resembling early 1960s coated strings, offer a retro look and feel, providing an alternative to pure nickel or nylon strings.

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  • Black Diamond once produced black-coated strings, popular in the 1960s, potentially matching the original string appearance for vintage authenticity.

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Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is praised for producing natural distortion without needing pedals, appealing to purists seeking authentic vintage tones.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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I Learned To Play On This Guitar

My grandfather is a well-known bluegrass artist in Texas and when I was around 12 years old, he passed his 1960 ES-330T down to my father, who eventually gave it to me. I learned to play guitar on a 1960 Gibson ES-330T... I had no idea how lucky I was until I was in college and started to study, modify, refinish and craft electric guitars. This guitar is the most priceless instrument I own. I'm sure many people feel like the single P-90 limits the ES-330T. On the contrary, I really enjoy the simplicity of the single pickup design. That nearly 60 year-old Gibson pup has all the range to lay into a throaty growl or you can roll off the volume knob and drift off into some sparkling clean tones. And the neck... I have never (yes, legitimately NEVER) played any guitar with a smoother, faster, more comfortable neck. These instruments ought to be worth much more than they currently sell for.

Artist usage

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See how Eric Clapton uses 1960 Gibson ES-330T

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

According to Christie's, Eric Clapton acquired a 1960 Gibson ES-330T guitar for his collection, rather than for performance use.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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