Is this a '69 335?

bscepter · May 1, 2018

OK - I just picked up this walnut ES-335 TDW (refinished). I love this guitar so far, but as the serial number on the headstock is not visible and the one on the label is partially obscured, I'm not sure exactly what year it is.

The relevant clues:

Walnut finish (obvs.)
No volute
Short tenon
Orange label
Closed "b" and "o" logo
No stamped serial/made in USA on headstock
1 ⅝" nut width

From what I've read here and other places, the lack of a volute puts it prior to 1970, and the short tenon puts it post-1968. But the headstock logo looks like an early 70s logo with the closed letters, so I'm confused. In any case, it plays and sounds great, so I don't care too much. I was just curious.

(I've also posted this over at Reddit and gotten some input. I was just curious what folks here had to say.)

bscepter · May 1, 2018

Looking at the label, my best guess is the serial # is 563803, which this site says could either be 1969 or 1974 or 1975.

Progrocker111 · May 1, 2018

Orange label lasted until early 71, volute on ES3x5s appeared a bit later than on Les Pauls, in early 71. Logo is a 70 style with block letters. Serial should be in 9xxxxx range. I would say its a 70 one.

bscepter · May 1, 2018

Progrocker111 said:
Orange label lasted until early 71, volute on ES3x5s appeared a bit later than on Les Pauls, in early 71. Logo is a 70 style with block letters. Serial should be in 9xxxxx range. I would say its a 70 one.

Thanks! Question, though: when did the stamped "Made In USA" thing happen? Also, that first number - though difficult to read - looks more like a 5 than a 9.

Tom Wittrock · May 2, 2018

What is "mahogany finish"? I've never heard of this.
Model number [letters] indicate walnut, but it says refinish.
Some strange stain? :hmm

bscepter · May 2, 2018

Tom Wittrock said:
What is "mahogany finish"? I've never heard of this.
Model number [letters] indicate walnut, but it says refinish.
Some strange stain? :hmm

That's my bad. I meant "walnut." I've edited the post.

Progrocker111 · May 2, 2018

bscepter said:
Thanks! Question, though: when did the stamped "Made In USA" thing happen?

In early 70 on Les Pauls, in late 70 or very early 71 on ES3x5s.

Is this a '69 335?

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