• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

'65 ES-335s......How Many Stop-Tailpiece Models Shipped?

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Just curious.....most folks are aware that in 1965 Gibson started shipping ES-335s with their standard trapeze tailpiece, and within a month or two, completely phased out production of 335s with the stop-tailpiece. Anyone have a rough estimate of how many stop-tail, ES-335s Gibson made in 1965? I've only seen photos of perhaps 5-6 online, and none in person.

Not surprisingly, it's fairly common to find '65 stop-tail "conversions" listed for $10 -15K or more on the internet,..... even the narrow-nut '65s are being pitched at these unrealistic prices. WTF! IIRC one or two years ago, all-original trap-tail '65s with the wide nut (1-11/16") could be had for $6-7K....perhaps $8K with all-nickel parts. Begs the question....what's is driving up prices on vintage ES-335s?
 

bern1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
Probably a question for Charlie Gelber on the ‘65’s. Doesn’t seem to be that many original stops around for sure.
As far as vintage 335’s pricing, going going, all gonna be gone soon like vintage Les Pauls.
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
Probably a question for Charlie Gelber on the ‘65’s. Doesn’t seem to be that many original stops around for sure.
As far as vintage 335’s pricing, going going, all gonna be gone soon like vintage Les Pauls.
thats what i,m thinkin,even a couple mid sixties trapeze models i got a few years ago have seemed to have gone way up in price, kind of like if you want one better snag anything with an orange label while you can!
 

bern1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
This is happening in a lot of collectible/investment areas, not just guitars.

Put simply, there is a ton of money being printed and it all goes somewhere.

The question is, who wants to be walking the beach holding the bag while the waves are receding just before the tsunami?
 

roysessions

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2016
Messages
39
I currently own a 64, and used to own an original stoptail 65- the neck was amazing (closer to a real les paul 59) thick at the nut. It was a great guitar......but everyone wants a 64 (including me). They should hopefully be priced a bit less, if you can find the right dealer- Norms tried to sell it to me as it was a 64 and i think that is incorrect and price was inflated.
 

bern1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
I don’t really get this ‘64 ES 335 thing. What makes that a must have? I have played quite a few 64’s and I haven’t found anything special about them that other similar years don’t also do.
For me the size and feel of the neck is the main thing and there is considerable variation in this, even within the same year.
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,583
last full year of solid block interior , 1 11/16th nut, nickel parts , early pats. F-hole dimension , most have a large round neck ..these features alone attract me plus for some there is the EC connection ..like any year model sound and feel can vary
 

roysessions

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2016
Messages
39
agree that the neck shape varies A TON with these 64's, (owned 3, played about 5 or so) but part of the attraction is that these guitars are also often less expensive than years before just because of the sticker- so the value is there along with the Clapton lore
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
According to Charlie Gelber's web site (ES-335.org) the average thickness of necks on 1964 ES-335s varied from 0.82" to 0.84" at the first fret. A few '64s he's seen were a little smaller, and others were a bit larger. But nothing like a '59 Les Paul. He reported that as you move up the neck, the '64s averaged around 0.95" to 0.99" at the 12th fret. Late '63 and early '65 necks were similar. Fee free to correct the record if I have misstated his findings. Thanks.
 

VamboRool

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Messages
424
Could somebody go over the 335 construction timeline? When did the center block change, how many styles of the center block's length are there? Does it get shortened under the pick-ups or by the end block? Neck construction, multiple pieces (mostly likely same time as other models changed), did they use maple on 335s or only mahogany? Thanks in advance.
 
Top