getting prices on vintage guitars

DopeBeastieDopeBeastie Posts: 2,513
edited October 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
anyone know where I can find the going price on a '59 Gibson ES 330?

i've been all over the internet, and can't find one.

thanks
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Thorns2010Thorns2010 Posts: 2,201
    Let me talk to a buddy of mine, he is a guitar freak, he knows like...a lot about them.
  • DopeBeastieDopeBeastie Posts: 2,513
    right on...

    thank you so much :)
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    http://www.thegearpage.net/board/

    is probably a good spot to check.

    JofZ probably knows a few people who can tell you.

    Interestingly enough, why a 330? got one to sell?

    If I remember properly that's the gibson version of the perhaps more famous Epiphone Casino? Same body as a 335 with P90's and lovely small block inlays. Fantastic guitar. If I owned one currently it'd be nearly priceless.

    I've seen one or two 335's and maybe one 330 yours is older than most and it usually depends on the condition I'd say probably ball park between 6 and 10 grand most likely maybe more maybe slightly less. I doubt you'll find a 59 335 on a wall anywhere under about 5 and a half. I've never actually seen a 59. Eric Claptons new 59? 335 Custom Shop RI's are going for $15,600 on Ebay from Guitar Center.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • DopeBeastieDopeBeastie Posts: 2,513
    it was meant to upgrade the ES225, I believe.

    I was asking, cuz I just sold mine. After a pretty nice post-sale nervous breakdown, I ran an extensive search and found out that I didn't get robbed. They're worth $1500 to $2400... I got a fair deal considering the effort. It had one replaced knob and no orange sticker inside. I suppose that's all good.


    Nice downpayment on a Collings.


    yeeshe

    can't WAIT
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    PastaNazi wrote:
    it was meant to upgrade the ES225, I believe.

    I was asking, cuz I just sold mine. After a pretty nice post-sale nervous breakdown, I ran an extensive search and found out that I didn't get robbed. They're worth $1500 to $2400... I got a fair deal considering the effort. It had one replaced knob and no orange sticker inside. I suppose that's all good.


    Nice downpayment on a Collings.


    yeeshe

    can't WAIT


    cool. Should do nicely, and Collings are awesome. I guess those aren't as sought after as the 335's. Still really cool guitars. You can find the mid 50's to early 60's 125's for 1200 all over too if you miss it.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • DopeBeastieDopeBeastie Posts: 2,513
    I'd never have played it. Maybe someday if I graduate from lazy-folk songstress to an honest-to-god guitar player...

    but that day's long in coming...

    I've been told that if you want to be a better guitarist, get a better guitar.

    So, I'm going to start with that.

    :)
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    PastaNazi wrote:
    I'd never have played it. Maybe someday if I graduate from lazy-folk songstress to an honest-to-god guitar player...

    but that day's long in coming...

    I've been told that if you want to be a better guitarist, get a better guitar.

    So, I'm going to start with that.

    :)


    The collings will make you a better player, They have that magic to them so that they almost play themselves. You hear it ringing and ooozing with tone. A good guitar is inspirational.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • JofZJofZ Posts: 1,276
    The 330 isn't as popular at the other hollow body Gibson electrics, so that might impact the value. However, if it had all orignal parts and including the p90s, bridge, knobs, switch tip. I would say the parts alone are worth a few grand. The switch tip if original is worth $300 bucks alone. The problem with this axe is it might be worth more in parts.
    here is some info on the guitar:
    At first glace this model looks like an ES-335, but it isn't anything even close. Fully hollow instead of semi-hollow, neck meets body at the 15th fret instead of the 19th fret, and P-90 pickups instead of Humbucking pickups make this model far less than desirable than a 335. This model was really a replacement for the ES-225, and was not meant as a "cheaper" ES-335.)
    1959 ES-330 introduction specs:
    Thinbody, double cutaway, fully hollow body, 1 or 2 P-90 pickups with black covers, tune-o-matic bridge, trapeze tailpiece (Bigsby vibrato optional), laminated beveled-edge pickguard, single bound top, back and rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot fingerboard inlays, neck joins body at 15th fret, crown peghead inlay, sunburst or natural finish.
    WHAT IS THAT NOISE?
    Hanging at www.TheGuitarHub.com
    The only Forum for players by players.......

    Playing Les Pauls, Teles, Hubers, Gustavssons, Kolls through a Mad Professor amp with a Bob Burt Cab.
    BJF powers my Pedal Board
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    JofZ wrote:
    The 330 isn't as popular at the other hollow body Gibson electrics, so that might impact the value. However, if it had all orignal parts and including the p90s, bridge, knobs, switch tip. I would say the parts alone are worth a few grand. The switch tip if original is worth $300 bucks alone. The problem with this axe is it might be worth more in parts.
    here is some info on the guitar:
    At first glace this model looks like an ES-335, but it isn't anything even close. Fully hollow instead of semi-hollow, neck meets body at the 15th fret instead of the 19th fret, and P-90 pickups instead of Humbucking pickups make this model far less than desirable than a 335. This model was really a replacement for the ES-225, and was not meant as a "cheaper" ES-335.)
    1959 ES-330 introduction specs:
    Thinbody, double cutaway, fully hollow body, 1 or 2 P-90 pickups with black covers, tune-o-matic bridge, trapeze tailpiece (Bigsby vibrato optional), laminated beveled-edge pickguard, single bound top, back and rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot fingerboard inlays, neck joins body at 15th fret, crown peghead inlay, sunburst or natural finish.


    good stuff to know, thanks.

    I think I actually prefer the semi hollowbodies to the full hollowbodies because they just feel stronger. even if it's just a violin block for the bridge. 335's from that Era are amazing. It's interesting to me that the 330 is of much lesser quality but it makes a lot of sense as a 225 replacement. It's the Gibson Memphis of the day apparently. I do like several of the casino's I've picked up from that era for what it's worth.

    335's from that time are considerably more valuable right?
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • kasiekasie Posts: 26
    PastaNazi wrote:
    anyone know where I can find the going price on a '59 Gibson ES 330?

    i've been all over the internet, and can't find one.

    thanks


    u looking to sell??? my boyfriend collects vintage instruments and loves gibson...pm me if so..
  • DopeBeastieDopeBeastie Posts: 2,513
    Pacomc79 wrote:
    good stuff to know, thanks.

    I think I actually prefer the semi hollowbodies to the full hollowbodies because they just feel stronger. even if it's just a violin block for the bridge. 335's from that Era are amazing. It's interesting to me that the 330 is of much lesser quality but it makes a lot of sense as a 225 replacement. It's the Gibson Memphis of the day apparently. I do like several of the casino's I've picked up from that era for what it's worth.

    335's from that time are considerably more valuable right?

    oh yeah... they're some of the priciest guitars out there (you know... of those not previously owned by famous artists, I guess)

    '59 - '62 335's go for $12 to $20 grand. they've got the kick-ass humbucking pickups and all kinds of other goodies... i think the 335's are true hollowbodies, too
  • JofZJofZ Posts: 1,276
    Pacomc79 wrote:
    good stuff to know, thanks.

    I think I actually prefer the semi hollowbodies to the full hollowbodies because they just feel stronger. even if it's just a violin block for the bridge. 335's from that Era are amazing. It's interesting to me that the 330 is of much lesser quality but it makes a lot of sense as a 225 replacement. It's the Gibson Memphis of the day apparently. I do like several of the casino's I've picked up from that era for what it's worth.

    335's from that time are considerably more valuable right?
    Yes, a vintage 335 is worth a ton. Dave has one for 25K right now
    davesguitar.com it has the PAF's :)

    I personally think much of this has to do with the recent Clapton 335 that GC/Gibson sold off for 25K a peice. It is silly money for a new guitar, but like anything these days in limited numbers with Murphy aging they all presold and there are NONE avialable as new from GC.

    The 335 is just one of those guitars that will never go out of style, good enough for Freddie, good enough for me :)
    WHAT IS THAT NOISE?
    Hanging at www.TheGuitarHub.com
    The only Forum for players by players.......

    Playing Les Pauls, Teles, Hubers, Gustavssons, Kolls through a Mad Professor amp with a Bob Burt Cab.
    BJF powers my Pedal Board
  • I guess I'm late again!

    They're usually worth from $1500 to $2500, but they're great guitars.

    Hollow body with p90's, but they feed back a lot due to the hollow body. It's like a thinline hollowbody, that was meant for less feedback, thus stage use, but they still feed back really easily when you're rockin' out. I have a friend that has one, and he'll never give that thing up!
    The 335 is a "semi" hollow body,,, it has a block of wood down the middle that solidifies it, and helps give it sustain and keeps it from vibrating and feeding back too much. They still feed back, but you can control and use it. You can feel an ES-335 take on a life of its own when you're cranking it. It vibrates against you, and it feels like a living thing. You hug it a little, and it quiets down,,, you let it loose and it screams!
    That and the Strat are the two most perfect eeeelectric guitars on the planet!


    Ok,,, to me anyway! :D


    If you ever have to find a serious price on a guitar,,, for 30 or 35 bucks, check with http://www.gruhn.com/
    or my favorite music store ever,
    http://www.mandoweb.com

    http://www.mandoweb.com/worth.htm
    Be kind, man
    Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
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