A funny thing happened. I saw this advertised by the lovely
@camf four weeks ago today and sprang on it like a pig at a potato.
Committed to it there and then and sorted the deal out the following Saturday up in sunny Scotland. I've had half a dozen other ES-330's - a '61 reissue, two CS330-L's, a 1968 ES-330L, a Wildwood spec '59 blonde reissue, another 2018 ES-330 - I know that everyone says this, but this is my favourite. Not only does it play beautifully plugged in, but it's acoustically very resonant and it's got the most vibrant burst, with a deep, rich red, well... red. It's in fabulous condition, with a just a few faint swirl marks near the strap button (neck).
It begs the question: 'why is it up for sale then, you swivel-eyed lunatic?'
OK, I'll tell you. On the Monday after committing to this beauty, I saw a birth year ES-330 at ATB, and I just liked it. In case you're thinking 'they didn't make them in 1925', I should point out that it's a 1960 model, and yes, I do look young for my age, thanks.
I wouldn't back out of buying this one though, as it's not polite, and I'm really glad that I bought it. One, I met up with
@camf who is an extremely nice geezer, and who also gave me a teeshirt, a CD and a cuddly toy drive pedal for doing a few more miles to meet up with him, and also it's a delightful guitar which I was able to A/B with the 1960 version.
Just to meander off for a moment (for a change) acoustically, the two guitars - 58 years apart in age - were very, very similar. This one is bassier plugged in, has a slightly chunkier neck and weighs just a little more. This one has the rich red of the sunburst in full bloom, and the 1960 version doesn't. They're both lovely, for slightly different reasons and I had hoped to keep both - I still do, if finances work out OK!
Anyway, if you fancy this, I'm selling it for what I paid for it, in true forum tradition. I'm not posting it, so you can brave me and Kenny the Staffie/Collie (he's 14 today and we're having a little party). He's a sweetheart - tbh, we both are. Breath not the best though. Me, not him.
Alternatively, I'll get in the car and meet up or deliver. You might have to slip me a few quid for delivery, as it was a 450 mile round trip to pick this beauty up, but we can have a chat about that. Transfer or cash would be good, and I'm very happy to meet -as ever - in laybys, public conveniences, notorious dogging spots, deserted woodlands, and other areas of dubious hygiene. I may also be able to give you a free copy of my guide to public conveniences throughout the UK: ' Swing Out Cistern'.
PM me if you're interested - either in the guitar or the laybys, etc. If funds shake themselves up in the next couple of days, I hope to keep it, so fingers on the button, folks.
Call me Dave.
Comments
I know everyone says this whenever they're selling something, and I don't believe in "good wood eras" and all that internet guff, but I maintain these 2018 Memphis ES-330s are some of the absolute best guitars Gibson has made in very a long time. And I'm not going to make the mistake of selling mine second time around!
And he is selling a lovely guitar too...
Happy 14th Kenny!
Thanks Vince - hope all's well with you!
Not a problem. I have a guitar hanger as well.
It is a wonderful guitar and the dibs are mine, although the same forum member promised dibs on something else that I sold to him and I haven’t been able to prise it away from him since.
No names, but just saying, @danishbacon - just saying.