FS Gibson PROTOTYPE STEREO ES335

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Author Message   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 8:47 pm:    Need to raise funds for new purchases. Selling a mint condition 80's era ES335 PROTOTYPE. This guitar is in excellant condition and well worth a look. I am accepting offers, serious inquiries only Dave_g Ebay Item #280112074959   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 5:39 pm:    Dave, you wrote in your ad: "I'm not sure what model number it is but it has the Gibson PROTOTYPE embossed mark on the back of the headstock. This is a STEREO guitar with two input jacks and a FACTORY INSTALLED BIGSBY." The combination of the stereo wiring and the 6 position varitone switch makes it an ES-345. But I guess more people are looking for the 335 than for the 345 stereo. (You actually need a stereo amp and cable for this guitar). The Bigsby is not on the normal ones, so this one is indeed a very special guitar. I hope you won't get any regrets about selling this one. BTW, is there a picture of yours with your new AR5000 already? Ginger   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 6:42 pm:    Ginger, I must disagree. What this guitar is for sure, it is NOT ES-345 even with Varitone + stereo wiring.. Let me explain some features not found in ES-345SV.. First, split-diamond on headstock, it is strictly for "customs", eg ES-355s, fretboard markers seem to be trapezoids (also called "crown-markers") as in 345 they would be double parallelograms. And 345 would have thistle as peghead inlay. Further, those f-holes are Trini Lopez-model diamonds, not normal f-holes. So verdict: prototype/experimental model with parts (at least features) from several previous/out-dated models..certainly not ES-345! I have in the past worked quite a lot in fixing/repairing this brand's guitars, as well as making pre-sales setups, so these "older" models from the "G-factory" are somewhat familiar to me.. The Bigsby could be ordered as a factory option on 345-355 ES's and even some 335's could be equipped with one.   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 7:10 pm:    Ginger, I think Fox's assesment is closer to reality with this guitar. When I bought it I was told that it was a Tini Lopez Prototype. Gibson has a Trini guitar that has been in production for years (it has a 6x1 tuners with a Fenderish headstock and pointy horns) so there is still some speculation. I have had this guitar for years , it hasn't seen much use as I have been playing my 2630.....You don't need a stereo amp either, it has two imputs ...I have played it thru two amps (you have two use 2 cords) and it works fine, kinda eerie sound if your not used to it..The trap inlays and LP Custom type headstock is what makes this guitar a headscratcher (as outlined in the auction)...   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 7:30 pm:    I have no info 'bout these "newer" additions to the Gibson-family of instruments, so I can not state with any certainty that this one is definitely The XX-model.. what's that other number in the peghead, below the serial? Serial dates this instrument built in August 29th 1989..so it is from the new managements era.. Perhaps they might have planned to revive the Trini Lopez or this is some Custom Shop job..but then it would have a different serial altogether. The original Trini was in production 65-70 btw, and available in 2 different body sizes, the full bodied jazz-box Deluxe and 335-bodied Standard, both had distinctive Firebird non-reverse type headstocks, diamond soundholes and split-diamond inlays. I have made a little fix-up on one Pelham Blue Trini Standard, btw...   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 7:44 pm:    Dave, I did some research..They DO have an ES-335 Diamond -model available from Gibson Custom Shop, even this very day, BUT is surely lacks those trapezoids and split-diamond headstock inlay.. Here is the link: http://www.gibsoncustom.com/flash/products/es/335d iamond/335diamond.html   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 10:02 pm:    Fox, Yea that model started as a limited run for Guitar Center last year. It was only available in solid colors, not stereo, no varitone, no traps and no split diamond, no mulit ply binding. I have not been able to identify this one since I got it a couple of years ago.   Bluesmeister Username: Bluesmeister Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 1:18 am:    I used to own an Epiphone BB King Lucille with stereo output jacks. The jack closest to the tailpiece was mono output for both pickups. But if you plugged in a second lead into the other jack (the one closest to the neck), that would then split the output to bridge PU to one lead and neck PU to the other. My guess is that it's the same priciple for all Gibson stereo models.   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 10:41 am:    Dave~ Have you checked with Gibson to get more information about your prototype? They kept pretty good records by serial number. Unless it was a one-off custom order or the rare undocumented prototype, they should be helpful. I've seen 'prototype' on other unusual Gibsons over the years, but yours is something special in my opinion. Its as if they threw all of their 'good stuff' of the period at this semi-hollow to see what it would look like, or if it would stir up market interest. Ibanez did that with the one-off blonde Lee Ritenour prototype model. http://www.geocities.com/xcvxcv65/ibanez/blueibane z-lr.htm How does your unique ES335 play and measure up to the 2630?

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