1964 Gibson ES-335

The 1964 ES-335 — block-neck, cherry or sunburst — is one of the most widely appreciated vintage semi-hollows. Patent-number humbuckers are excellent and the construction quality is high. More accessible pricing than dot-neck models.

Current Market Value

Excellent
$20,000$38,000
Very Good
$13,000$20,000
Good
$8,000$13,000
Fair
$4,000$8,000

* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology

Specifications

Body WoodMaple (semi-hollow thinline with solid center block)
Neck WoodMahogany
FingerboardRosewood (block inlays)
Scale Length24.750"
Frets22
Pickup ConfigHH
BridgeABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, stop tailpiece or Bigsby
TunersKluson Deluxe
Finish OptionsSunburst, Cherry, Natural
Est. Production1,200

Pickups & Electronics

Two Patent Number (PAT. APPL. FOR → PAT. NO.) humbuckers. Good sounding pickups, different character from PAFs.

What Changed in 1964

Block inlay fingerboard now standard. Patent-number pickups have fully replaced PAFs. The ES-335 was becoming Gibson's best-selling semi-hollow model. Slim neck profile is standard.

Collector's Notes

The transition from dots (1961) to blocks (1962) is the single biggest value driver in ES-335 collecting. 1964 block-neck models are priced appropriately for what they are — outstanding guitars at fraction of dot-neck prices.