The Gibson ES-335TD was not an instant hit (though it did better than the Flying V launched at the same time), but sales grew steadily throughout the 1960s (peaking in 1967) and continually doing well too. Obviously there were fluctuations but sales never dropped below 1500, even in the difficult recession years of the mid 1970s. The graph to the right shows the shipping figures for each colour 335 (click to expand)

The basic design of the ES-335 remained largely unchanged throughout its years - in 1963 the stop tailpiece was replaced by a trapeze, and in 1977 when a coil tap switch was fitted. The Gibson ES-340TD was launched in 1969 as an ES-335TD body with modified 'in-phase/out-of-phase' electronics - and a laminate maple neck. The coil tap added to the 335 in 1976-77 and the change in neck wood (1975) made the late seventies 335 even more like an ES-340

1958 Announced 03/58, launched 08/58 - price $282.50
Available in Sunburst or Natural finish - see the 1958 Gibson Electrics catalogue

1959 price sunburst $279.50, natural $295

1960 Smaller scratchplate, neck shape change - price sunburst $279.50, natural $295

1961 Prices rose from $2** for the sunburst finish to $300 by September '61. Cherry finish now available - initially $295, rising to $315. Natural finish discontinued

1962 Dot inlays replaced by blocks, though this is not shown in the 1962 catalog

1963 Stickers on pickup undersides changed from "Patent Applied For" to "Patent Number". Neck shape change. See the 1963 Gibson Electrics catalogue. Price Sunburst $300, Cherry $315

1964

1965 Trapeze tailpiece becomes standard. Nut width changes from 1 11/16" to a 1 5/8". Metal parts are now chrome. Price - Sunburst $340, Cherry $355.

1966 Fretboard is now Indian rosewood as opposed to Brazilian. Price - Sunburst $365, Cherry $380. See the 1966 Gibson catalog

1967 Peghead angle reduced by 3 degrees to 14 degrees. Sparkling burgundy listed as a finish. Price - $395, all finishes

1968 Nut width reverts to 1 11/16". Walnut finish listed for the first time. Around this time, the one-piece necks were being replaced by three-piece laminate necks, though still mahogany. All finishes $430

1969 price - $455. Sparkling burgundy no longer listed as an option. All finishes $455

1970 price - $475. Volute added and 'MADE IN USA' stamped on all headstocks. Orange serial number labels no longer used in the body cavity

1971 price - $495

1972 price - $515

1973 Price - Cherry, Walnut $540, Sunburst $560

1974 Price - Cherry, Walnut $540, Sunburst $560

1975 Nut width changes to 1 9/16". The catalogue lists necks as being maple from this catalogue. Price - Cherry, Walnut $599, Sunburst $629. Check out the Gibson 1975 thinline catalogue

1976 Price - Cherry, Walnut $629, Sunburst $659

1977 Coil tap switch added

1978 Nut width reverts to 1 11/16". See the Gibson 1978 Quality / Prestige / Innovation Catalogue

1979 Price - $849

1980 Price - $949

1981 Price - $1049, then discontinued
1982 launch of the ES-335 dot

PART 1 description | PART 2 specifications and shipping figures | A Closer Look

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