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Vintage Case For ES 345

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
Well, I finally managed to purchase a very nice original case for my ‘59 345 but I think it may be the wrong case. The case I’ve used for last 25 years is from a Gibson Lucille that I purchased the first year it was offered. The 345 fits perfectly in this case, is well supported and does not move when the cover is closed. The case I purchased, an original Lifton, is approximately 1 inch deeper which allows the guitar to flop inside the case when the case is moved. The 335/345 case for ‘59 was the Faultless 519 case so I’m thinking this may be a Faultless 515 case for ES 175 D.

Any thoughts from you vintage guys?
 
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RAB

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
2,122
Well, I finally managed to purchase a very nice original case for my ‘59 345 but I think it may be the wrong case. The case I’ve used for last 25 years is from a Gibson Lucille that I purchased the first year it was offered. The 345 fits perfectly in this case, is well supported and does not move when the cover is closed. The case I purchased, an original Lifton, is approximately 1 inch deeper which allows the guitar to flop inside the case when the case is moved. The 335/345 case for ‘59 was the Faultless 509 case so I’m thinking this may be a Faultless 514 case for ES 175 D.

Any thoughts from you vintage guys?

Maybe a case for a 175? Maybe for a Byrdland or ES-350? In “any case(!)” my recommendation is you put the vintage case away as it’s far too dangerous to transport your guitar. A modern, quality case will protect it much better when gigging your rare axe. That’s what I did with my early ‘59 345. The vintage case is stored safely in the closet along with the original cases from other vintage axes. I keep and gig the 345 in a modern (I think 1990’s) Gibson brown case (made by TKL?) that fits like a glove and is very sturdy! Cheers! :salude
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
A picture or two of the case and the guitar in the case would help us determine which case you have. (Let’s hope you haven’t come down with a bad case...!)

In the meantime, I can say that the old original cases for 335s and 345s have a substantial amount of wiggle room in them. The fit is by no means “snug”. You can feel (and hear) the guitar flop (gently) around inside when picking it up.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
Well, I finally managed to purchase a very nice original case for my ‘59 345 but I think it may be the wrong case. The case I’ve used for last 25 years is from a Gibson Lucille that I purchased the first year it was offered. The 345 fits perfectly in this case, is well supported and does not move when the cover is closed. The case I purchased, an original Lifton, is approximately 1 inch deeper which allows the guitar to flop inside the case when the case is moved. The 335/345 case for ‘59 was the Faultless 509 case so I’m thinking this may be a Faultless 514 case for ES 175 D.

Any thoughts from you vintage guys?

Sounds pretty normal for some 59 original Lifton cases sold with ES-345s. They aren't all exactly the same.
Burst cases are no better, and most of us use better cases, and just store the originals.
 

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
80573424_2824060600970556_4001813100620677120_o.jpg
Here’s a pair of photos Notice how deep the case is (about an inch deeper than the newer case I’m presently using) and the space between the case and the mouse ears.
80759217_2824047974305152_7651346197575106560_o.jpg
81527126_2824047894305160_862631764651147264_o.jpg
 

hogy

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
715
Yeah, that's not an ES-3x5 case.

Also, wouldn't the correct case for 345s and 355s be black? My early '60 345 came in the black case.
 

Unbound Dot Neck

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Messages
1,623
Looks like my late 58- 335 case . My Guitar , now living in a modern TKL case, snug as a bug
Sweet looking 345 guitar. !

:jim
 

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
Yeah, that's not an ES-3x5 case.

Also, wouldn't the correct case for 345s and 355s be black? My early '60 345 came in the black case.

I believe Gibson changed to a black exterior with a yellow/gold interior around ‘61 or so.
 

Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
I too keep my 345 in a more recent case, but I’m trying to find out if this early case is truly a 335/345 case or for a different Gibson model.
Looks like my late 58- 335 case . My Guitar , now living in a modern TKL case, snug as a bug
Sweet looking 345 guitar. !

:jim
 

hogy

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
715
I believe Gibson changed to a black exterior with a yellow/gold interior around ‘61 or so.

I'm pretty sure the black case was available earlier, like with 3 PAF Les Paul Customs.

I always was under the impression that the black case was more expensive, and intended for the higher end guitars.
 

Unbound Dot Neck

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Messages
1,623
sorry Laker no help. I have a black peable / gator ? grain case with yellow or blue int . for a L5CES. much deeper , LOL
But , I think yours is period correct
C :salude
 

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,294
I think your case is correct also. I've seen other Liftons from that period that seem too big for the ES-3x5s. I picked up a nice one for my lefty '64 recently, and very happy with the fit.
81681525_1441972199317866_4896354754294185984_o.jpg
 
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brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
Your case is correct for a 1959 ES345. Your pictures show the usual “not-so-snug” fit.

You can double check: On the inside, measuring the pink lining, it should be ~3 1/8” deep all the way around. (You might get 3” at the headstock.)

I put a wash rag sized cloth on the nut/fretboard for my ‘59 345. It seems to flop around less.

Here’s a link with some good info: http://guitarhq.com/gibson.html#cases

I've attempted to post a picture (with the same angle as yours) directly from my computer of my 345 in its case to illustrate.
View attachment 10736
 
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Laker

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
45
Thanks everyone for your assistance with determining what I have for a case. The old Lifton cases really were not built as precise as the more modern Gibson cases.
 
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