Another example of a single-pickup ES330, this time in the popular cherry red finish. Close in sound to the natural-finish example from 1960, very lightweight. Surprisingly similar wide-flat neck profile, more ‘60 than ’61, maybe suggesting the neck might be from an older batch.
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC front
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC back
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC quarter
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC body
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC headstock
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- ’61 Gibson ES330TC in case
Video of me playing this guitar here…
Only 582 of these shipped between ’60 and ’63, of which ’61 was the ‘busiest’ year with 214 leaving the factory. It lives in a ‘64/65 Epiphone Casino case (grey with blue felt lining) but pictured in its stablemate’s original red-lined case ’cos it looks soooo good.
Both this and the natural ’60 version play like the wind and the P90 pickups are very dynamic and expressive. Probably my favourite guitar despite some very stiff competition!
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