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New member w/'59 ES345

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
After lurking for quite a while, I thought I'd stick my two cents in and say hi. I own an original '59 345 that I hunted for and finally found after 25 years. Back in '63 I played in a band with a guitar player that was playing this sunburst 345, and after playing a couple of chords on it, I thought it was the greatest playing guitar I'd ever picked up. Well, to make a very long story short, he traded it for a new cherry '64 345 and I lost sight of this great guitar. After buying and selling a few semi-hollow Gibsons over the years, always looking for the way the neck of that sunburst 345 felt; I was playing a gig one night around '89 or so, and a guy approached me and asked if I would be interested in a 345. After talking a bit, I had it nailed down that this was my "Holy Grail", the 345 I had played in '63, and after a little negotiation it finally came home with me after a 25 year wait. For me, this is still the ultimate tone machine and I doubt if anyone else will ever own it until someone peals my bony dead fingers from it after I've passed.

I'm primarily a bass player, but I do appreciate the warm sound of a vintage Gibson Semi-hollow body and hope I fit in here somewhere.

I am missing two parts that my friend and his brother removed back in '62 or '63, the varitone selector knob and plate. Would a person be crucified for installing the new, reproduction parts from Gibson?
 

holygrail

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
1,715
Welcome :welcome

" Would a person be crucified for installing the new, reproduction parts from Gibson? "

All depending . I say yes until you find the originals

What say you AVH ?

Also we need Pictures :photos . First rule :)
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
Thanks for sharing your story about your cool 345! :welcome

You can use repro parts, but it would be best if you hunt for originals. The Dallar and Arlington Guitar Shows would be the place, I'm told...

We need :photos of your guitar! :dude :wail
 

Hackubus

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2001
Messages
1,591
Welcome, and very cool story! Congrats on your 345.
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
Okay, until Laker posts his pics, here are a few 1959 ES-345s. Maybe this will incent him to post them! :wail

full_281_p4138.jpg



117_p23990.jpg
 

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
Sorry for not posting a picture, but I'll try to remedy that if this link will work. It isn't a very good pic so bear with me. The case is from an '83 Lucille that I bought new. The 345 didn't come with a case (my friend with the '64 345 kept it and I'm trying to convince him to swap for this nice, newer case) so I kept the case when I sold the Lucille.

FDP_Laker.jpg
 

rw 1969

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
69
Re: Missing knob and switch plate - I was looking for the same for my '60 cherry 345 - which when I bought it had the choke, switch, switch plate and knob missing. In the three weeks or so I was looking I saw two complete varitones and one that was missing the plate and knob, on Ebay. No plate and knob only, but keep an eye out. I bought the best of the complete varitones that were on ebay. $200 (ouch) nice gold knob though........
 

DrRobert

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
6,050
I have a black varitone knob from a 63 or thereabouts in OK shape if someone wants it...
 

Gitfiddler

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
1,194
:welcome Laker!

Love that vintage 345! And great background of the search and finding your holy grail. Take your time and I'm sure you'll find just the right original pieces for her.

I've never seen black varitones before. Does anyone know if they were more rare than the metalic (gold and silver) plates?
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
Gitfiddler said:
:welcome Laker!

Love that vintage 345! And great background of the search and finding your holy grail. Take your time and I'm sure you'll find just the right original pieces for her.

I've never seen black varitones before. Does anyone know if they were more rare than the metalic (gold and silver) plates?
Black Varitone surrounds are on the earliest guitars with this feature. My 1959 blonde ES-345 (pictured above) has it. :)
 

stompbox

New member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
2,176
VERY nice guitar... and welcome.... thanks for sharing your piece of history!
 

rw 1969

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
69
Dr Robert

I'd be interested in the '63 Varitone knob, but Laker should have first refusal as he asked first!

Rob
 
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