Need some advice: ES-330 content

[Reinhard]

A while back I sold a sweet sounding '67 ES-330, with a nut that was a bit narrow for my taste. I have been wanting another 330 ever since.

A NOS 2012 VSB VOS ES-330 has popped up locally (South Africa) for a little under $2800. Keep in mind over here Gibson prices are ludicrous due to import duties and a weak currency, but $2800 seems like too good a deal to pass on. I don't think they imported many 330s and the next batch, if they get any, will cost a lot more.

I know the 2012 330s has the laminate fretboards, which probably won't be an issue down the line, but still a bit worrying. l have a 1 guitar per year rule, which I used to buy a Linhof tele, but I do feel I am going to kick myself if I pass on this guitar.

It looks great, I love the chunky neck, I get a Gibson warranty and the P90s sound sweet.

I need some enablers to make me pull the trigger on this or the voice of reason to pass on it.:dang

 

[renderit]

You MUST buy it. If for no other reason than somebody else will get it and play it worse than you and probably scratch it all up as well. The fiddle don't deserve that. You MUST save it. Then you MUST put it on the guitar holder in your avatar and post large pictures of it.

 

[bobore]

Imho, forget about the laminate board. This is my one desert island guitar out of the twenty-three I own (sixteen of them being Gibsons). Haven't checked the fretboard & really couldn't care less. It's simply an amazing player.

 

[rockabilly69]

Everybody that plays my ES-330 wants it! The laminated fingerboard is a non-issue!
Besides if you get a 2013-14 ES-330 they will have two-piece bodies but the 2012
reissues have the one-piece!

Go for it!!! The first really good guitar I ever played was an early 60's ES-330 and I
think these new ones don't just hang with the originals, I like the new ones better.

Yesterday I was playing mine through an overdrive and tremolo that a friend built,
into my handwired Ampeg J20, and the sound was righteous!!! The tone was great
and when I pushed it the feedback was ridiculously musical!

 

[TommyTouch]

My "go to" guitar is a '12 335 w/2piece fingerboard. The voice of reason? Me? I don't think so. Buy it now. <$2800 USD seems fair. Don't kick yourself later.

 

[Reinhard]

Thanks for posting guys :salude Going to go play it again on Saturday.

Demo'd it through a Black Star amp, which probably didn't do it any justice either (Still sounded good). Want to plug it into a Fender amp and that will probably clinch it for me :hank

 

[Tidepoolbay]

I passed on a Luther Dickinson ES and have been trying to find one ever since.

Do not pass it up.

 

[MikeSlub]

Go for it. You won't be disappointed.

 

[tooold]

Go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Says the voice of reason and moderation... :dude:

 

[Reinhard]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Went back to play it this morning. Plugged into a fender amp and that was it.

Love the neck and the P90s sound fantastic. What a guitar!

 

[rockabilly69]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Went back to play it this morning. Plugged into a fender amp and that was it.

Love the neck and the P90s sound fantastic. What a guitar!

Congrats! That's about how long it took me to decide I loved mine!

 

[Reinhard]

Thanks!

All I want to do is oil the board. Other than that the guitar is perfect. Gibson nailed it on this one.

 

[DoubleBoogie]

Congrats! I have cherry version with a Bigsby and it is one of my favorite guitars. I also have a Tone King Metropolitan amp and if you ever have a chance to plug your 330 into one, do it. Its a stellar combination!

 

[rockabilly69]

Congrats! I have cherry version with a Bigsby and it is one of my favorite guitars. I also have a Tone King Metropolitan amp and if you ever have a chance to plug your 330 into one, do it. Its a stellar combination!

That's a sweet looking one Mr Boogie!

 

[mistersnappy]

+1 Love the red and Bigsby!

 

[Reinhard]

DoubleBoogie, that looks great!

I have been playing mine through a late 60's Deluxe Reverb. Great tones :jim

330s are just some of THE most fun guitars to play.

 

[bluesjuke]

Yes they are .

Congrats Reinhard!

 

[DoubleBoogie]

They are a blast! And the back pickup through the Metroplitan lead channel is a screaming singing sustaining beast! :dude:

 

[tooold]

330's are such great guitars. Interesting to see the B7 on yours, DB - my '59 has a B3, which doesn't have the roller bar. I really like it - super touch sensitive.