The Golden Era of the Gibson Hollowbody. This ES-345 has been modified to mono instead of the original stereo output, and the pots were replaced in 81' but retains all the stereo components and the original case. 

Serial 519549

Due to Gibson records it has been difficult to determine the exact year.  The serial coincides with either 1965 or 1968. We believe it to be a 1965, but without the original pots, receipt, or shipping record there is no way to determine the exact year.  We believe it to a late 65' that was sold new in 1966, we believe this because the original owner is selling this as consignment through us, and we are going off his recollection.  Additionally, in 66' they introduced the "witch hat" pot knobs, and we believe these to be the original knobs .  According to the representative at Gibson, they both were made the same way and there wouldn't be any different in design or quality between a 65' or 68'. Additionally, the representative said that he has been working at Gibson for 17 years and one of his first questions was about the "flowerpot" or "crown" inlay on the veneer.  He said the positioning of the inlay makes no indication of the year, and he also said the nut width also makes no indication of the year. As far as we can determine there is no way to determine the year for certainly, except that is definitely a 65' or 68'. Please contact with any questions.  

Weight: 8lb

Finish: Original Tobacco Sunburst, the original nitro has plenty of luster and gloss left to it. There is some great checking on the front face of the guitar, with a little bit of wear in the binding where your arm rests against the body. The dark walnut colored finish on the sides of the body still retains a lot of its darkness and coloration. The back, like the front, has plenty of color and life in the finish with some checking. However, the back has a little bit of scattered buckle rash and some scratching near the strap peg. There are also two smaller dents in the finish near and behind the lower strap peg.  

Body Material: Maple ply

Body Details: Maple ply Top back and sides with a solid maple block running down the center

Neck Material: Mahogany

Fingerboard Material: Rosewood 

Neck Profile: Slim C

Neck Thickness (IN): 1st fret: .829", 12th fret: .975"

Fingerboard Radius: 12.00

Nut Width: 1-9/16 in

Neck Details: Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard and replaced twin parallelogram inlays. The original finish has plenty of life and a decent amount of checking. There is some chipping around the seams of the neck joint  

Fret wear: this guitar has had a re-fret and the new frets have light play wear  

High E string gauge: 10

Pickup Details: Original Patent Sticker pickups

Hardware: Original

Case Details: Original hard case with lots of vintage sticker mojo

Modifications / Repairs: The Varitone has been bypassed, can be restored, the frets replaced, and the inlays have been replaced as well. The original tuners were at one time replaced with Grover’s that are still on the guitar, the nut is non-original. Modified to mono instead of the original stereo output.  All pots were changed out in 81' for CTS pots. 

Cosmetic Condition: In very good vintage condition. Minor dings and wear with beautiful finish checking. The inlays have been professionally replaced, along with a professional refret - an incredible, mostly original guitar! Recently set up by our in-house tech.

Tech Inspection Report: Plays well with low action,  a shim was added to the replacement nut to compensate for too deep of cuts in the replaced nut, the refretted frets still have tons of life left.