• 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!

strange f-hole finish on 64 reissue 335

strat71

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
79
i received my new 64 reissue 335, it have to say i love it, it's gorgeous, the red is just stunning...
i'm not sure i like the pickups and pots, but hey i'd have changed anyway for real PAF and good pots..
P8138539 - Copie.JPG

but??
look at the f-hole slice... it looks like it's not been finished at the same time as the top and with a strange red paint...
have you notice that on yours? is it the way Gibson nashville finish their f-hole? don't have a real one but looks odd to me...

P8318637 - Copie.JPG P8318629 - Copie.JPG
 

amorrow

Active member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
217
Totally normal, mine looks similar. Just my assumption that the areas were painted because would’ve been difficult to mask/shoot lacquer in the area without running or having overspray inside the body.
 
Last edited:

J T

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
Hey nice guitar!
My Nashville 345 is black on the rim of the F-hole
 

strat71

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
79
thanks,
maybe that how they did in 64... maybe vintage accuracy has it's limits... ha ha
but anyway, really enjoy the guitar
 

Wally

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
3,535
I have a cherry 1966 ES-345TDC. iirc, finish on the edges of the f-holes is a bit more transparent than this 335 RI. it is done with the same transparent cherry as the body rather and is not as opaque as in this RI. I bought this in June, 1967 when I was 16….washing and lubing cars.
08F170DD-CEE9-41D6-B5DC-FADA4E31CD61.jpegE2DC391D-4BB4-4578-98CC-FBCE54B4974F.jpeg
 

blueline

Active member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
186
I have a cherry 1966 ES-345TDC. iirc, finish on the edges of the f-holes is a bit more transparent than this 335 RI. it is done with the same transparent cherry as the body rather and is not as opaque as in this RI. I bought this in June, 1967 when I was 16….washing and lubing cars.
View attachment 15367View attachment 15368

thanks,
maybe that how they did in 64... maybe vintage accuracy has it's limits... ha ha
but anyway, really enjoy the guitar
 

blueline

Active member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
186
All 335s had a solid block of maple up until 1964. The only way the electronics were going in is through the narrow f-holes. Gibson kept a touch up paint handy to paint to cover any damage that may have been done. So the f-holes got painted last . After 64 Gibson cut a sizable chunk out the block and that facilitated the easy intsallation of the electronics and so no more f-hole installation. The 345s and some 355s already had this block cut due to the choke placements. On my sunburst 59 335 the f-holes are painted solid brown .
 

strat71

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
79
thanks blueline you may have the last word... sounds logic...
that also mean it'll be hard to change the pots and pickups... i'll think twice... ha ha
 
Top