1965 Gibson ES-335
The 1965 ES-335 represents the model at mid-decade — solid vintage instruments accessible to players and collectors who want genuine 1960s tone without the premium of early dot-necks.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Recent Sales
Showing 10 verified sales for 1965 Gibson ES-335. Reissues, replicas, and parts listings are filtered out.
Specifications
| Body Wood | Maple (laminated, solid center block) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic with stop-bar |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Finish Options | Cherry, Sunburst, Sparkling Burgundy (rare) |
Pickups & Electronics
Two Patent Number humbuckers. Mid-1960s production maintains consistent quality.
Collector's Notes
Sparkling Burgundy and other custom colors from 1965 are rare and valuable. Standard cherry finish is the most common and practical choice.
How to Authenticate a 1965 Gibson ES-335
Check the serial number on the back of the headstock — ink-stamped numbers should fall within documented ranges for 1965. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1965 or up to 18 months earlier. This is the most reliable dating method for Gibson guitars of this era. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer showing age-appropriate checking (fine crazing). Under blacklight, original nitro fluoresces a distinctive green-yellow — refinished instruments lack this characteristic. Check for original PAF or patent-number humbuckers — examine baseplate markings, wire colors, and magnet type. The ES-335's pickups should match each other in construction details. Semi-hollow body — tap test (solid center, hollow bouts). Block inlays. Verify long-tenon neck joint for this era (correct). Original Kluson Deluxe should be present with no evidence of replacement (no oversized bushing holes). Original hardshell case adds provenance value.