Gibson ES-335TD chronology and shipping figures

Gibson ES-335 specification sheet. Control details for the 1978 model Shipping figures for the years 1958-79

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. See the 1960 Gibson Guitars and Amplifiers catalogue. 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. Price Sunburst $300, Cherry $315. See the 1962 Gibson Guitars and Amplifiers catalogue. 1963 Stickers on pickup undersides changed from "Patent Applied For" to "Patent Number". Neck shape change. See the 1964 Gibson Electrics catalogue. Price Sunburst $300, Cherry $315 1964 Price - Sunburst $340, Cherry $355. See the 1964 Gibson Electrics catalogue. 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. At least one piece of '68 literature suggest the availability of a the 335 in Natural Birch finish, with 5-ply maple neck, at extra (though unspecified) cost. This would be a precursor to the ES-340 TD launched in 1969. Shipping stats do not mention this variant.

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. 1980 was the final catalogue appearance of the ES-335TD 1981 Price - $1049, then discontinued 1982 launch of the ES-335 dot