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Post by Strato on Jul 7, 2007 23:50:13 GMT -7
There it is. I believe it was made between 1968-1973. It is a ES-335TDW. It has the orange label made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Serial # is 961853. It doesnt really seem to fit in with the Gibson serial number chart. Any help is appreciated. ;D
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Post by oldgoat on Jul 8, 2007 0:24:43 GMT -7
Call Gibson support 1-800-444-2766. I've used them lots and have always been really helpful. Being 24/7 late nights good, no waiting time.
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 8, 2007 4:41:52 GMT -7
You've pretty well nailed the correct era. The W stands for walnut color.
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Post by dei305 on Jul 8, 2007 9:55:07 GMT -7
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 8, 2007 10:07:09 GMT -7
I had one exactly like that - even the same color. You'd cry if you knew what I did to mine.... ACK!
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Post by Curt on Jul 8, 2007 11:45:31 GMT -7
Seems to be a '68
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Post by Telemanic on Jul 8, 2007 12:25:36 GMT -7
Dating a Gibson? ............ i've always been too afraid to ask one out!
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Post by Strato on Jul 8, 2007 20:25:23 GMT -7
Oh yeah... it has the thin sixties neck. I am about to give ol gibson a call.
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Post by John on Jul 9, 2007 4:53:53 GMT -7
Lou,....you crack me up!
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Post by skydog958 on Jul 9, 2007 10:44:56 GMT -7
Dating a Gibson? ............ i've always been too afraid to ask one out! Zing! ;D
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Post by Telemanic on Jul 9, 2007 15:23:55 GMT -7
One of these days i'm gonna get up the nerve tho ......... Hope my fenders dont leave me John!
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Post by Strato on Jul 14, 2007 11:26:18 GMT -7
You all are nuts ;D I called Gibson, and they said between 1970 and 1973 This is interesting Well, mine still has the oval orange label. So maybe it is an early 1970?
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Post by Don on Jul 19, 2007 18:55:13 GMT -7
Does the orange label say, "UNION MADE" on it? Does it say, "MADE IN USA" on the back of the headstock? Is the I doted? Is the O open or closed? Is the serial number impressed into the wood?
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Post by Strato on Jul 19, 2007 21:12:39 GMT -7
Does the orange label say, "UNION MADE" on it? Does it say, "MADE IN USA" on the back of the headstock? Is the I doted? Is the O open or closed? Is the serial number impressed into the wood? It does not say Union Made. It does say Made In USA on the back of the headstock. The "I" in Gibson on the headstock is dotted, and the "O" does make a complete circle. And yes, the serial number does seem to be impressed into the wood.
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Post by Curt on Jul 19, 2007 21:19:45 GMT -7
My "new" Gold Top is impossible to date like this too...It just does not fit any criteria that I have found anywhere..................as close as I can get is '73, '74 or '75..and that's a stretch !
Gibson was...unorganzied to say the least.
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Post by Strato on Jul 19, 2007 21:20:28 GMT -7
My "new" Gold Top is impossible to date like this too...It just does not fit any criteria that I have found anywhere..................as close as I can get is '73, '74 or '75..and that's a stretch ! Gibson was...unorganzied to say the least. Sounds like we are in the same boat
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Post by Curt on Jul 20, 2007 5:37:45 GMT -7
My "new" Gold Top is impossible to date like this too...It just does not fit any criteria that I have found anywhere..................as close as I can get is '73, '74 or '75..and that's a stretch ! Gibson was...unorganzied to say the least. Sounds like we are in the same boat Yep, Just play the snot out of it ! If you ever sell it just tell them the story and let them try....it's part of the mystique of that era Gibby Or...It could be a Texas Thang !!! BTW, I'll be in Plano quite a bit soon it seems, would love to meet ya. Curt
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Post by terlinguart on Jul 20, 2007 6:00:51 GMT -7
The first time the Walnut finish option shows up in the Vintage Guitar Price Guide is '69. Also shows it in '70 and '71-'76. Hope this might help a little.
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Post by mudskipper on Jul 20, 2007 6:30:56 GMT -7
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Post by crazy4blues on Aug 13, 2007 13:57:28 GMT -7
Just be confident!
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Post by stoob0t on Aug 16, 2007 2:07:09 GMT -7
I'm aboard that ship too. I've got a Goldtop Deluxe that could be from any time between 1970 - 72. three of the pots date to 1970, one dates to 1972, and i have no idea if it's a replacement or not - they all appear to be the same manufacturer. Trying to date early 70's Gibsons is such a challenge, it adds a great mystery to the guitar though - almost like it's personally hiding something from you! (or maybe i'm just paranoid and sleep deprived!)
With your 335 I'd assume from the serial # & the oval sticker that it's early to mid 1970.
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Post by detuned on Aug 16, 2007 10:32:28 GMT -7
Just take the neck off & look at the date.
Oh. Wait.
Never mind.
:-)
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Post by Strato on Aug 16, 2007 11:31:30 GMT -7
Here is another question... How in the world do you service the electronics? Do you have to literally take the top off?
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 16, 2007 13:05:17 GMT -7
No. You cut a square hole in the back and hold the piece back on with duct tape! Actually you take everything loose and fish it out the f hole. That's one of the advantages to a Lucille. They do have a back plate. I've seen a couple of old Gretsches with holes cut in the back because some knucklehead couldn't figure out what to do. Then they bought the Gretsch snap on backpad and covered it up.
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Post by Strato on Aug 16, 2007 14:13:43 GMT -7
I figured thats kinda what you had to do... Sounds like a nightmare!
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Post by Curt on Aug 16, 2007 16:15:05 GMT -7
My oldest daughter had a sitter when she was young, the husband of the sitter had a '58 dot 335.......................that a 'tech' cut a hole in the back of to work on it..........................made me sick.
Same man had a '56 Tele unmolested and CLEAN..............his dorky son has 'em now I guess.................bummer.
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Post by dei305 on Aug 17, 2007 12:49:11 GMT -7
Strato, To service the electronics remove the the strings and then remove the bridge bridge pickup. From that point you have access to the harness and controls. It's a bit trick if you have to replace any of the pots. I typically use surgical tubing (18"). Remove the knob, then attach the tubing to the shaft. At that point you can loosen the nut an washer and still have a hold on the pot. After the pot is loose simply get it through the pickup opening. Good luck. Rick
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 17, 2007 14:33:26 GMT -7
That sounds better than thru the F hole. I think if I was doing it I might try tieing labeled strings to the jack and the pots so I could fish them back in.
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