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Average Price: $6,495

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Description

Step into the world of vintage allure with the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD, a guitar that captures the essence of classic rock and jazz tones. This fully hollow double cutaway gem distinguishes itself with its unique design, featuring a thinline body that delivers an airy resonance and a vibrant tonal palette. Unlike its semi-hollow siblings, the ES-330TD skips the center block entirely, allowing the sound to breathe freely, creating a rich, warm tone that has captivated musicians for decades.

The guitar is equipped with a pair of P-90 pickups, celebrated for their bright and punchy character, offering a versatile range from mellow blues to biting rock. The neck joins the body at the 17th fret, providing comfortable access to the upper registers, making it a joy to play for lead guitarists who crave expressive solos.

Crafted with a maple body and a rosewood fingerboard, the ES-330TD not only looks stunning but feels smooth and responsive under your fingers. The classic Tune-o-matic bridge paired with a trapeze tailpiece ensures stable tuning and intonation, making it a reliable companion for any gig or recording session.

Key Features:

  • Fully hollow, double cutaway body
  • Maple body with rosewood fingerboard
  • Two P-90 pickups for versatile tonal range
  • Neck joint at the 17th fret for improved upper fret access
  • Tune-o-matic bridge and trapeze tailpiece
  • Notable players include Martin Barre and Grant Green

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-330TD
Finish Cherry, Natural, Sunburst
Year 1959 - 1961
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-330TD Short Neck
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What makes the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD Sunburst Finish unique compared to other semi-hollowbody guitars?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330TD features a fully hollow maple body with a double cutaway design, offering a distinctive warm and resonant tone. Its short neck and unique pickup configuration contribute to its characteristic sound, making it a sought-after model for vintage guitar enthusiasts.

Is the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD is well-suited for jazz due to its warm, rich tone and fully hollow body, which provides a resonant sound ideal for jazz styles. The P-90 pickups further enhance its capability to produce smooth, mellow tones preferred by jazz musicians.

How does the neck profile of the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD affect playability?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330TD features a set-neck construction with a short-scale length of 24.75 inches, providing a comfortable playing experience with easy access to higher frets. This makes it particularly appealing to players who prefer a more compact neck for intricate playing styles.

What type of pickups are used in the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD Sunburst Finish?

The 1960 Gibson ES-330TD is equipped with two single-coil P-90 pickups, known for their bright, clear sound with a bit of grit, making them versatile for various genres, from rock to blues and jazz.

How does the finish of the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD contribute to its appeal?

The Sunburst finish on the 1960 Gibson ES-330TD not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also allows the natural resonance of the maple body to shine through. The gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish ages beautifully, adding to the guitar's vintage charm over time.

New Kings Road Vintage Guitars (New Kings Road Guitars)

New Kings Road Vintage Guitars (New Kings Road Guitars)

1960 Gibson ES 330

Video thumbnail for 1960 Gibson ES 330 by New Kings Road Vintage Guitars (New Kings Road Guitars)

1960 Gibson ES 330

New Kings Road Vintage Guitars (New Kings Road Guitars)

New Kings Road Vintage Guitars (New Kings Road Guitars)

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • Only 219 sunburst models shipped in 1960; offers a unique rarity among collectors.

    Source
  • Ess & Ess cases, not originally Gibson, were associated with these guitars pre-1969.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The ES-330 is a true hollow body, unlike the semi-hollow ES-335.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Known for being super light with a great unplugged sound, making it versatile for different play settings.

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  • The guitar's original setup might have utilized Black Diamond strings, known for their distinctive black coating, which were popular during the 1960s.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite the rarity, the cherry finish is less valued than the natural finish from 1960.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Original strings may have included black-coated bass strings similar to tape-wound, paired with nickel treble strings for a unique tonal character.

    Source

User experience

  • It's been noted that finding vintage-style strings to match the original appearance and feel can be challenging, but tape-wound strings are a potential option.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Eric Clapton uses Gibson ES-330TD 1960

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

Eric Clapton acquired this guitar for collecting rather than playing purposes. According to Lee Dickson this guitar was given to Clapton by producer John Porter after he'd worked on the Taj Mahal's album, Phantom Blues. This is also one of Dickson's favourite guitars.

See how Bruno Major uses Gibson ES-330TD 1960

Bruno Major

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

He posted on his instagram story that he bought this.

Genre Usage

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

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