I was in the fortunate position of being able to buy two ES-330's recently. First, I bought the 2018 model that was advertised here recently, bought by me, then sold by me, then swiftly bought back my me again. (Insert 'lol' here). It's a fabulous guitar.
Them just after I'd committed to buy it, this 1960 model came up at ATB Guitars. It's a 'birth year' guitar, which is probably a daft but sentimental reason for getting one, but anyway, I went to see it, tried the 2018 and 1960 model side by side, and came to the conclusion that they were both lovely - slightly different - but lovely guitars. Anyway, long story cut short - I've ended up with both.
I knew that I'd end up selling one (what are the odds?!) and I've found that the chunkier neck of the 2018 model probably suits me better. That's the main difference between the two. If I hadn't have got the 2018 model, I'd have kept the 1960 model. It has what I think of as a slim taper profile (nothing like the pencil necks of the late '60's though), although I could be totally wrong.
So, I've thought about it and decided to offer this up for sale or trade for a couple of weeks. Then, I'll either keep it or take it for a dealer commission sale.
Here's the link to Mike's ad at ATB Guitars - it describes it far better than I can, and I just wanted to ramble on about why I bought it and why I'm selling it - the only mod that it's had, according to Mike, is a strap button at the neck side.
Additionally, I've had a new Gibson ABR-1 bridge fitted - I still have the original in the case - as the 61 year old bridge was sagging slightly in the middle, and I prefer a very low action. I didn't want to go the process of having the old one altered, just in case there was any damage done, so a new bridge seemed a quick and easy option.
I'm asking £7650 - I've pitched the price somewhere between what you'd pay at a dealers and what I'd expect to get from a commission sale after the dealer's cut - there aren't many 1960 ES-330's knocking around, but Guncotton have got a nice looking red 1961 version for sale at £9000. I think I've pitched it reasonably, but I'll soon find out! Put it like this, I've managed to make the usual loss, but never mind.....
I realise that £7650 is a good old chunk of cash, and I'm happy to look at trades, part trades, etc, up to the value of the ES-330 - more than one is OK. I wouldn't really want to be going out of the Gibson, Fender CS, Gretsch spectrum, as I'd probably enjoy a trade for a few weeks and then look to sell it fairly easily.
It won't be going in the post, but if you're interested, we can have a chat about coming to see it, or me delivering it, or meeting along the fuel-starved highways, byways, laybys, public conveniences and notorious dogging areas up and down the country.
Here's a few pics - message me if you're interested!
Call me Dave.
Comments
Beautiful guitar
Fancy a trade for a couple of bags of dog biscuits ?
Appreciate that it might not be something that flies off the shelf on the forum, hence the p/ex(es) suggestion, but I thought that I would give it a couple of weeks here before anywhere else.
...and still a few grand short.
Beautiful 'burst (much nicer than most reissues) amazing checking etc.
Grant Green-tastic.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.