Gibson 1961 ES-330TC Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar Cherry with Hardshell Case - Used

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This used 5 lb Gibson will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. In excellent conditon, this guitar has some checking in the finish and some paint chips and scratches on the headstock and neck. A small chip can be found on the back of the body's right side. The tuner buttons are scraped, one control knob is missing its Tone label, and there are divots in the wood on the third fret under the B string and fourth fret between the D and G string. There is a small crack on the back left of the heel and another on the front left side where the neck meets the body. Overall, this guitar is in great playable condition, especially considering its age.

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The Gibson 1961 ES-330TC comes from a pivotal moment in Gibson history, when the company was refining its thin, fully hollow electric designs for players who wanted warmth, clarity, and touch sensitivity without the weight of a solidbody. Built in 1961, this guitar reflects the early, purist ES-330 formula—lightweight maple construction, no center block, and a simple, direct signal path that lets the wood and pickup do the talking. Its cherry lacquer finish has aged gracefully over decades, giving the instrument both visual character and the kind of resonance that only time can create.

Unlike later semi-hollow designs, the ES-330TC is fully hollow, which gives it a noticeably open, airy response and a strong acoustic presence even when unplugged. The maple body contributes snap and articulation, while the trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge combination emphasize string tension and clarity. This construction makes the guitar exceptionally dynamic, responding immediately to changes in picking attack and volume control adjustments, and rewarding players who use nuance rather than brute force.

The single P-90 pickup sits right at the heart of the ES-330’s identity, delivering a wide frequency range with woody lows, vocal mids, and a chimey top end that cuts without harshness. With just volume and tone controls, the circuit stays uncomplicated and honest, making this guitar a favorite for blues, early rock, jazz, and roots players who value expressive phrasing. The mahogany neck with a comfortable C profile and rosewood fingerboard offers a familiar, broken-in feel that suits long sessions and expressive vibrato.

As a genuine 1961 instrument, this ES-330TC represents more than a sound—it’s a snapshot of Gibson’s golden-era craftsmanship and design philosophy. Guitars from this period are increasingly scarce, especially in clean, original condition, and are prized for their tone, light weight, and historical significance. Whether viewed as a player’s instrument or a collectible piece of electric guitar history, this ES-330TC carries the unmistakable character that only a well-preserved, early-’60s Gibson can offer.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Series: ES-330TC
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Color: Cherry

Body

• Body Material: Maple
• Body Top Material: Maple
• Body Finish: Lacquer
• Body Shape: ES
• Body Style: Semi-Hollow

Neck

• Headstock Type: Solid
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Shape: C
• Neck Finish: Lacquer
• Neck Depth: 0.875" at 1st Fret, 0.909" at 12th Fret
• Neck Construction: Set Neck
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Position Inlays: Acrylic Dots
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 22
• Truss Rod Style: Headstock Access, Single-Action
• Truss Rod Nut: 5/16"
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 1.687"
• Scale Length: 24.75"

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
• Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: Trapeze
• Bridge Mounting: Fixed
• Pickguard: Black and White 4-Ply
• Pickup Cover: Black
• Control Knobs: Black
• Switch Tip: None
• Hardware Finish: Nickel
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Deluxe Single Line
• String Trees: None
• Tremolo Arm: None
• Neck Plate: None
• Strap Buttons: Two Nickel
• Output Jack: 1/4" Front Input

Electronics

• Pickup Configuration: S
• Middle Pickup: P-90 Single Coil
• Controls: Volume and Tone
• Switching: None
• Auxiliary Switching: None

Miscellaneous

• Accessories: None
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: 40673
• Manufacture Date: 1961