1970-72 Gibson ES-330 TDW: The Hollowbody Nobody Talks About

BLAST FROM THE PAST. A guitar that came through our shop at 316 E 84th St, sold, and moved on. This instrument is no longer available.

Everybody wants an ES-335. Almost nobody asks for an ES-330, and that is the mistake.

The 330 is Gibson's fully hollow sibling to the 335. No maple centre block, P-90s instead of humbuckers, neck joining the body higher up. If that description sounds familiar it is because the Epiphone Casino is essentially the same guitar wearing a different badge, and that is the one three Beatles played.

What it was

A 1970-72 Gibson ES-330 TDW in walnut, listed at $3,500.

• Body: fully hollow, no centre block
• Weight: 6.2 lbs
• Neck: narrow and slim, an absolute dream to play
• Case: non original hardshell, included

Everything that had been done to it

We would rather tell you all of it than have you find out later.

The tailpiece was changed. The original trapeze had been swapped for a stopbar. On a fully hollow guitar that is unusual, because there is normally nothing underneath to take the string tension. Somebody had thought about that: wooden supports were added inside the body under the tailpiece. We could find no problem with the installation and no impact on how it played.

It had almost certainly been refretted. No fret nibs, and the frets sat noticeably higher than we are used to seeing on a vintage Gibson.

There had been a heel repair. A gap in the neck pocket and some excess glue told the story. In all our time working on it the joint never moved. It did cost a little playability, because we had to set the action high enough to clear the bridge pickup. Too low and the strings would fret out past the twelfth.

The truss rod worked. Threads were exposed, but it still set the neck relief properly.

How it played

With all of that on the table: it was still a joy, plugged in or not.

That is the thing about a fully hollow guitar. Unplugged it has real acoustic volume, enough to sit on a couch and write with. At 6.2 lbs and with a neck that slim, it disappears when you are holding it.

Common questions about the Gibson ES-330

What is the difference between a Gibson ES-330 and an ES-335?
The 335 is semi hollow with a solid maple block running through the middle. The 330 is fully hollow with no block. The 335 also joins the neck to the body further down. The block gives the 335 sustain and feedback resistance. The 330 gives you air, acoustic volume and a looser, woodier response.

Is the Gibson ES-330 the same as an Epiphone Casino?
They are extremely close. Both are fully hollow thinline archtops with P-90s, built in the same Kalamazoo factory. If you want the Casino sound and would rather have the Gibson badge, the 330 is the guitar.

Does a stopbar tailpiece work on a fully hollow guitar?
Not without support. There is no centre block to anchor to, so the tension pulls on the top. On this guitar somebody had added internal wooden supports under the tailpiece, which is the right way to do it. Done badly, this modification can wreck a top.

Does a repaired neck heel ruin a vintage Gibson?
Not if the repair holds. Gibson headstocks and heels break, it is a known trait of the design. A clean, stable, decades old repair is common and acceptable. It does affect value, and it should always be disclosed, which is why it is written here.

Does Bros Guitar Shop buy vintage Gibsons?
Yes. We buy outright, take trades, and take consignments. Details below.

Where it went

Sold. Set up to our preference with a slightly higher action, and shipped in a hardshell case.

---

Come see us at Bros Guitar Shop

We are a family owned guitar shop on the Upper East Side, and we do more than sell instruments:

• Buying, trades and consignment on used and vintage gear
• Repairs and setups at our bench
• Appraisals. Bring it in or send photos and we will tell you what you have
• Guitar lessons in the studio downstairs
• Pickup and delivery available for a fee. Give us a call and we will sort it out

Bros Guitar Shop
316 E 84th St, New York, NY 10028
646-559-8771 and brosguitarshop@gmail.com
Mon to Fri 12 to 8, Sat 10 to 8, closed Sunday

Got something in a case under the bed? That is usually how the good ones turn up.