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Left Handed 1964 Gibson ES-335TDC, Factory Stop Tail, Clapton!

Dire Wolf

Active member
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
2,745
This is one I got a few months ago, just now getting around to posting some pics. It's a factory left handed stop tail ES-335TDC, recently inspected and set-up by Scott Freilich of Top Shelf Guitars. It has a serial # from the 5-digit series of 1964, which also includes the Clapton 335. This is a nice complement to my other lefty 64 ES-335TDC, which is a factory Bigsby:

#65808 : Lefty Stop
#66204 : Lefty Bigsby
#67473 : Clapton

Neck PUP: 8.09K
Bridge PUP: 7.51K
1st fret: .85
12th fret: 1.00

I've only seen 8 total factory Left Handed ES-335s from 1958-1964(I've owned 4 of the 8), which include 3 from 1964. These are the only 2 lefty cherry 335s I've seen from 1964 in over 30 years of collecting vintage guitars.

Interesting provenance on this guitar. The original owner was Bob Grundy in the UK, who was the guitarist in Joe Cocker's blues band from 1964-1966 - Joe's band before The Grease Band, officially called "Joe Cocker's Big Blues."

This is a really great sounding guitar, everything that you expect a 1964 ES-335TDC to be. It's one of those guitars you just can't stop playing. I believe my search for vintage guitars has ended. Along with the 64 Bigsby, and my 58 ES-335T, these are the guitars with the best tone I have ever encountered - they really are Burst killers!



















 
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The Shifter

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Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
Those are perfect. Just so damn good looking.

I'd keep Paul McCartney outta my house if I was you!:hee
 

Stoj

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Oct 6, 2006
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3,514
Just beautiful - Killer Score DW :dude: :salude
 

GotTheSilver

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Apr 14, 2007
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2,433
Awesome! Supremely awesome!!!

The pictures of the two guitars together are fantasticly mind blowing!
 

OKGuitar

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Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
938
Interesting that the body shapes are not typical of 64's. Look like Mickey Mouse ears rather than the usual pointy 64 ears. I'm guessing that they made a bunch of lefty configured bodies and assembled them as needed. Apparently they didn't need that many because you rarely see any.
 

RAB

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
2,122
Interesting that the body shapes are not typical of 64's. Look like Mickey Mouse ears rather than the usual pointy 64 ears. I'm guessing that they made a bunch of lefty configured bodies and assembled them as needed. Apparently they didn't need that many because you rarely see any.

Charlie, excellent point about the ear shape! :hank
 
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