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Pre Owned Vintage 1959 Gibson ES-345TD Sunburst with Original Case

Vintage 1959 Gibson ES-345TD Sunburst with Original Case

SKU 80GIB069
by Gibson
Sold out
$ 27,499.99 - $ 27,499.99
$ 27,499.99
$ 27,499.99 - $ 27,499.99
$ 27,499.99
Used And Vintage Electric Guitars

 At Truetone Music, we are fortunate enough to see some of the best vintage gear coming through our door.  Whether it's a rare '59 Les Paul, a classic pre-CBS Strat or a pre-war Martin acoustic, we sometimes get to see something that blows our mind a bit.  That's what happened the day this guitar came in.  We are pleased to present an original 1959 Gibson ES-345TD.


Launched in 1959, the ES-345 was positioned between the 335 and the more luxuriously appointed 355 models.  It was designed to summon up the mellowness of an f-hole jazz guitar and combine it with the raunch of a solid body.  To get this, the 335-style instruments had a maple block running the length of the semi-hollow body to add warmth and sustain, as well as eliminate feedback.  345's are easily distinguished by their double-parallelogram fretboard inlays.  Part of what set the 345 apart was its Varitone switching and stereo wiring, which proved to not exactly be a fan favorite - it was often removed, which it has been on this guitar.  It has been converted to mono, as typically seen (and desired by most players).

The guitar has its original finish, pickups and hardware intact.  A bone nut was put in place, and somewhere in its life the neck was refretted, along with a headstock repair (both extremely well done).   The guitar has been vetted and setup to play perfectly by the head luthier/vintage expert in our shop. It includes the original case, which is in great shape itself.  You'd be hard pressed to find a vintage ES-345 from 1959 as good as this one, especially with original PAF pickups and parts.  It plays like a dream, and of course sounds amazing.  The finish has aged gracefully, with just the right amount of wear and patina.  Be sure to zoom in on the photos to see everything closely.

This is one of the earliest ES-345's made, as it's from the year of its original release.  Less than 500 were made that year, with 446 being in Sunburst.  It's a rare guitar, and it's even rarer to find one in such good condition that plays so well.   It's a special piece of Gibson's storied history.  We are absolutely thrilled to have this 1959 ES-345TD here and will be sad to see it go.  Come to Truetone Music to experience it today or order right here to have it sent to your home.

  • Serial # A32849
  • Year: 1959
  • Model: Gibson ES-345TD
  • Color: Sunburst
  • Weight: 7.8 lbs
  • Body: Maple, Laminated
  • Center: Solid Maple Block
  • Neck: Mahogany (one piece)
  • Profile: Late '59
  • Fretboard: Rosewood
  • Comes With: Original Hardshell Case