NGD - First Vintage

Josh_Cosku

Thanks to @mattacjones I finally got my first vintage guitar. I was dreaming about having one after playing a few old Gibsons 4-5 years ago. 

I got this early 1965 ES 330 a few weeks ago and I was brave enough to take it to a blues jam yesterday. It felt really different at the first set because I was playing mostly solid bodies recently. I think I managed to dial the amp better at the second set and it felt very good probably with the help of few pints.

ScreamingDave

Beautiful!

goldtop

Very cherry. Nice checking. Lovely.

Funkfingers

Part of the different feel is because those frets obviously have a good many miles left in them. Many original 1965 frets would be worn away. 

stickyfiddle

That's utterly fabulous. 

Bigsby?  

goldtop

stickyfiddle said:

That's utterly fabulous. 

Bigsby?  

Right after making an Ibanez monkey grip, surely?

strtdv

Looks stunning

Offset

That looks a bit special alright.

Fiddlesticks_

Congratulations 
I am very very envious 

Petepassion

Lovely 

guitars4you

One of my favourite 'old' guitars - They don't do everything, but what they do very well - Plus more affordable, still, than many other guitars from the same era - Enjoy

rze99

Very nice! Congratulations.
I have a 1965 SG Special as my main guitar for the band and I treat it well and make sure it's supervised at all times but otherwise just use it as I would any other. Don't baby it, play it!

breadfan

That’s stunning!

stickyfiddle said:

That's utterly fabulous. 

Bigsby?  

I watched a few Barrie Cadogan videos on YouTube yesterday - I would 100% add a Bigsby if I were you!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=slTVW9g9bTs&si=szu9cvao0GbIyEKU 

Josh_Cosku

Thanks everyone!

My plan is to play it as much as I can. It is fully hollow and very light, I think this made me anxious. The idea of likelyhood of a breakeage. 

@Funkfingers Actually it has a refret done very nicely and plays very well. I think the larger body felt different for me. 

@breadfan ; @stickyfiddle can I add a bigsby without drilling holes? 

@guitars4you fully agree! Actually, price at the same ball park with new Gibson Custom shops. I thought why not go for the real one with the same price.

maw4neu

Nice ! . . . seriously nice ! . . . Forget the Bigsby, if you want to wiggle, buy a Strat / Similar . . .  Keep that as it is  . . . Its perfect :-)

guitars4you

Josh_Cosku said:

Thanks everyone!

My plan is to play it as much as I can. It is fully hollow and very light, I think this made me anxious. The idea of likelyhood of a breakeage. 

@Funkfingers Actually it has a refret done very nicely and plays very well. I think the larger body felt different for me. 

@breadfan ; @stickyfiddle can I add a bigsby without drilling holes? 

@guitars4you fully agree! Actually, price at the same ball park with new Gibson Custom shops. I thought why not go for the real one with the same price.

A good re-fret IMO will enhance the playability of just about any old guitar - And again IMO has no impact on the value - No point WHATSOEVER having an old guitar with worn frets that are unplayable 

If it has got to nearly 60 years of age, with a 'fragile' hollowbody, with no issues, then nothing to worry about - Just treat it with respect and it will be fine 

Agree about this v a newish CS - But I have played a few decent CS models

stickyfiddle

Josh_Cosku said:

Thanks everyone!

@breadfan ; @stickyfiddle can I add a bigsby without drilling holes? 

You can use a B3 if the neck angle is steep enough... I have one on my 2018 Memphis model. 

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/210398/es-330-bigsby-b3

I wouldn't consider drilling this one though, for obvious reasons! 

Corvus

Wow that's a bit nice! Well scored.

Devil#20

oooof...that's rather nice isn't it. 

Barrie's argument for a Bigsby is quite convincing in that video but I think I'd be leaving that as it is. 

TeleMaster

Amazing. Congrats! 

Josh_Cosku

@TeleMaster @Devil#20 @Corvus Thanks a lot everyone!