Does anyone know if this case is for a Byrdland or ES350?

[aladdinsane]

This is a 1950s Gibson case that I received with a 1959 ES 345. It's too large for the 345, so I assume it originally came with a Byrdland or ES350T. You can see that the 345 floats around in the case.

The lower bout measures 17.5" inside the case. The upper bout is 13.5". And the overall length inside the case is 43.5". The neck rest to the top of the case measures 18".

Does this look like a Byrdland case? If not, does anyone know what it could be for? It's definitely for a 1955-59 Gibson.

 

[mikeslub]

Looks like a Byrdland or ES-350T case to me.

 

[aladdinsane]

Looks like a Byrdland or ES-350T case to me.

Thanks @MikeSlub!

 

[mikeslub]

My 1961 Byrdland in its case.

 

[aladdinsane]

Looks about right! I’m guessing mine might be on the earlier side with the more plain covering.

Of course, now I want a Byrdland! @MikeSlub yours looks amazing. How would you compare it to a 335/345/355 tonewise?

 

[mikeslub]

Very different guitar and sound. No center block, bigger body, pickup placement different, short scale - all makes a big difference in playability and tone. Definitely an acquired taste.

Here it is with my other Byrdland and ES-350's.

 

[mikeslub]

Looks about right! I’m guessing mine might be on the earlier side with the more plain covering.

Your case looks like it has a few miles on it - they originally had the shiny covering.

 

[brandtkronholm]

MikeSlub is right, the Byrdland is a very, very different animal in comparison to a 335/345/355.
My 2¢:
While we're all used to the 24.75" scale of the ES335, Les, Paul, etc., the short scale of the Byrdland & ES350 at 23.5" takes some getting used to. Not only is it shorter, but it is also narrower with a nut measurement of 1 9/16" (1.5625"). This smaller nut width is found on Gibsons from the later 1960s. That said, once you spend some time with it, it makes good sense. It works.
All of the 335/45/55s, Byrdlands, and ES350ts have 22 frets. The later Florentine (sharp) cutaway on the Byrdlands and ES350ts gives excellent access to the highest frets. The earlier Venitian cutaway (round) does not.
Unlike the maple ply top glued to a maple center in the 335/45/55, the Byrdland has a spruce top and is entirely hollow. At sensible volume this makes for a mellower tone. At rock & roll volume, simply forget about it! The Byrdland becomes uncontrollable with feedback. Watch old Ted Nugent videos on YouTube and you'll see him all over his volume controls. The ES350t is a maple ply top and like the Byrdland, entirely hollow. I think these are a little less lively than the spruce top, but it's an opinion. The ES350t is more mellow than a 335/45/55.
The Byrdland has an ebony board while the ES350t has rosewood. The ebony might have a bit more snap, but again, it's just an opinion.
The control lay-out on Byrdlands and ES350ts is different than Les Pauls and 335/45/55s. Even though I play my Byrdland frequently, I have trouble locating the volume and tone - and even sometimes the pickup selector! I'm still not used to it! In fact, when playing (standing) I cannot see the pickup selector because it is hidden by the pick-guard and I cannot see the bridge tone knob because of the top carve!
Byrdlands and ES350ts have floating bridges while the 335/45/55s have bridges that are fixed in place. It is only friction and the downward force of the strings over the bridge that keep the bridge in place on Byrdalnds and ES350ts. If you use thin strings and really bang on on your guitars it can be easy to make the guitar temporarily unplayable if the bridge moves out of place. I use 11s and the bridge tends to stay put. As a positive feature, with a floating bridge, you can fine tune your Byrdland however you like! You are not restricted by the fixed bridge on a Les Paul or 335.
The neck pickup on 335/45/55s is placed almost directly under a harmonic, the neck pickup on Byrdlands and ES350ts is not. The result is that the Byrdland's neck pickup sound is ... hard to describe ... maybe less "pure" than a 335/45/55? It's still a great sound and the difference is subtle, but it's just different! I don't know! I'm at a loss here!
At sensible volumes playing small clubs with a Byrdland or ES350t in an ensemble shouldn't be an issue. Plugging into a Soldano Super Lead might not work so great.
There is no cheaper way to get PAFs, 22 frets, and that classy Gibson style than a "classic era" ES350t or Byrdland!
HOWEVER - with all that said, I LOVE MY 1960 BYRDLAND! It plays like butter and sounds beautiful! I really like the looks and functionality of the Florentine cutaway. Just like my 1959 ES345 (black varitone ring), my Byrdland is happily magnetically ou-of-phase, a feature that I really, really like and use all the time!
I've attached a picture of it. The pickguard is a perfect reproduction by The Pickguardian, the bridge PAF is not original, but of the correct era, and with standard pole spacing. The neck PAF is original and has the narrow pole spacing. The PAF covers are not original. Everything else is original.
Here's a brand-new short clip I just posted on YouTube: 1960 Gibson Byrdland into a Fender Pro Jr.
Here's the NVGD thread (with pictures!) from August, 2022: NVGD 1960 Byrdland. Check out the maple neck and back! Whoa momma!

 

[brandtkronholm]

AND - That looks like a Byrdland/ES350t case to me. I mean, it looks pretty much like mine. Does it have all of its feet on the backside?

AND AND - tell us about the ES345! I mention that I've a 1959 in the post above - I see yours also has the black varitone ring.
Maybe a NVGD thread is in order!

 

[aladdinsane]

Wow @MikeSlub! What a collection you have. I have an ES295, so I can imagine what it might be like.

Do you have any photos of all of your guitars together? I’ve seen the different groups (345s, 330s), but never the whole thing. Seems like you rival Joe B!

 

[aladdinsane]

MikeSlub is right, the Byrdland is a very, very different animal in comparison to a 335/345/355.
My 2¢:
While we're all used to the 24.75" scale of the ES335, Les, Paul, etc., the short scale of the Byrdland & ES350 at 23.5" takes some getting used to. Not only is it shorter, but it is also narrower with a nut measurement of 1 9/16" (1.5625"). This smaller nut width is found on Gibsons from the later 1960s. That said, once you spend some time with it, it makes good sense. It works.
All of the 335/45/55s, Byrdlands, and ES350ts have 22 frets. The later Florentine (sharp) cutaway on the Byrdlands and ES350ts gives excellent access to the highest frets. The earlier Venitian cutaway (round) does not.
Unlike the maple ply top glued to a maple center in the 335/45/55, the Byrdland has a spruce top and is entirely hollow. At sensible volume this makes for a mellower tone. At rock & roll volume, simply forget about it! The Byrdland becomes uncontrollable with feedback. Watch old Ted Nugent videos on YouTube and you'll see him all over his volume controls. The ES350t is a maple ply top and like the Byrdland, entirely hollow. I think these are a little less lively than the spruce top, but it's an opinion. The ES350t is more mellow than a 335/45/55.
The Byrdland has an ebony board while the ES350t has rosewood. The ebony might have a bit more snap, but again, it's just an opinion.
The control lay-out on Byrdlands and ES350ts is different than Les Pauls and 335/45/55s. Even though I play my Byrdland frequently, I have trouble locating the volume and tone - and even sometimes the pickup selector! I'm still not used to it! In fact, when playing (standing) I cannot see the pickup selector because it is hidden by the pick-guard and I cannot see the bridge tone knob because of the top carve!
Byrdlands and ES350ts have floating bridges while the 335/45/55s have bridges that are fixed in place. It is only friction and the downward force of the strings over the bridge that keep the bridge in place on Byrdalnds and ES350ts. If you use thin strings and really bang on on your guitars it can be easy to make the guitar temporarily unplayable if the bridge moves out of place. I use 11s and the bridge tends to stay put. As a positive feature, with a floating bridge, you can fine tune your Byrdland however you like! You are not restricted by the fixed bridge on a Les Paul or 335.
The neck pickup on 335/45/55s is placed almost directly under a harmonic, the neck pickup on Byrdlands and ES350ts is not. The result is that the Byrdland's neck pickup sound is ... hard to describe ... maybe less "pure" than a 335/45/55? It's still a great sound and the difference is subtle, but it's just different! I don't know! I'm at a loss here!
At sensible volumes playing small clubs with a Byrdland or ES350t in an ensemble shouldn't be an issue. Plugging into a Soldano Super Lead might not work so great.
There is no cheaper way to get PAFs, 22 frets, and that classy Gibson style than a "classic era" ES350t or Byrdland!
HOWEVER - with all that said, I LOVE MY 1960 BYRDLAND! It plays like butter and sounds beautiful! I really like the looks and functionality of the Florentine cutaway. Just like my 1959 ES345 (black varitone ring), my Byrdland is happily magnetically ou-of-phase, a feature that I really, really like and use all the time!
I've attached a picture of it. The pickguard is a perfect reproduction by The Pickguardian, the bridge PAF is not original, but of the correct era, and with standard pole spacing. The neck PAF is original and has the narrow pole spacing. The PAF covers are not original. Everything else is original.
Here's a brand-new short clip I just posted on YouTube: 1960 Gibson Byrdland into a Fender Pro Jr.
Here's the NVGD thread (with pictures!) from August, 2022: NVGD 1960 Byrdland. Check out the maple neck and back! Whoa momma!

This is great! Thanks for all the info.

Your Byrdland is amazing!!! Such a rare beauty. Gotta love those PAFs! I’m really loving the combo of the PAFs with the big hollow body. I have a ‘53 ES295 and a ‘57 Gretsch Country Club, but nothing like that with humbuckers.

Yes, I need to do a belated NVGD for my 345! It’s crazy good. The PAFs are just incredible. I’ll make a new thread about it.

 

[mikeslub]

Wow @MikeSlub! What a collection you have. I have an ES295, so I can imagine what it might be like.

Do you have any photos of all of your guitars together? I’ve seen the different groups (345s, 330s), but never the whole thing. Seems like you rival Joe B!

Sure - my guitars have been on the web for many years: https://images.lilypix.com/thumbnails.php?album=2325&page=1

 

[aladdinsane]

Sure - my guitars have been on the web for many years: https://images.lilypix.com/thumbnails.php?album=2325&page=1

Wow. Truly amazing. Thanks, Mike!