1960 Gibson ES-345
The 1960 ES-345 features original PAF humbuckers in the upscale 335 format with Varitone and stereo wiring. These are underappreciated relative to the 335 and represent excellent value in the dot-neck era.
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 2 verified sales for 1960 Gibson ES-345. 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 ABR-1 with stop-bar or Bigsby |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe double-ring |
| Finish Options | Cherry, Sunburst, Natural |
Pickups & Electronics
Two PAF humbuckers. The ES-345 added Varitone switch (6-position tone selector) and stereo wiring over the standard 335.
What Changed in 1960
The ES-345 was positioned between the 335 and 355 — adding the Varitone circuit and stereo output. Many players bypassed the Varitone; its presence/absence affects collectibility.
Collector's Notes
The Varitone inductor coil is often missing or bypassed — originality of the Varitone circuit affects value. Natural finish is extremely rare. PAF pickups are the primary value driver.
How to Authenticate a 1960 Gibson ES-345
Gibson serial numbers from this era are ink-stamped on the back of the headstock. Cross-reference with known Gibson serial tables — numbering was not strictly sequential. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1960 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. Verify original PAF or patent-number humbuckers. The ES-345 also has a Varitone circuit — check that the six-position switch and internal choke/inductor are present and functional. Distinguished by Varitone circuit and stereo wiring. Verify six-position Varitone switch. Gold-plated hardware. Dot neck. Original Kluson Deluxe double-ring should be present with no evidence of replacement (no oversized bushing holes). Original hardshell case adds provenance value.