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ES 345 1959 - I need your help please

MDP

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
6
Dear All,
I have a vintage ES 345 with serial nr: A 32575 and some hand written initials "BAB" or similar. The color I believe is Argentina sunburst. May someone help me out with the background of my guitar? Is or was it maybe a prototype of a famous musician that Gibson worked togehter back then? Thank you all soooo much in advance for kind advise. Very best, Martina
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
Dear All,
I have a vintage ES 345 with serial nr: A 32575 and some hand written initials "BAB" or similar. The color I believe is Argentina sunburst. May someone help me out with the background of my guitar? Is or was it maybe a prototype of a famous musician that Gibson worked togehter back then? Thank you all soooo much in advance for kind advise. Very best, Martina
Please post photos. Thanks!
 

MDP

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
6
Dear Mike - thank you very much for your fast response - unfortunately I do not know how to upload any photos of my guitar. May I send them to you by PM or Email? Very best, Martina
 

MDP

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
6
Well - I do not use any of these online downloading platforms. But maybe I can share the some pics via email and someone of you guys uploads them for me. thanks.
 

GuitarMikey

Active member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
910
Here's a few photos Martina was kind enough to share with us. :salude
I'll let her fill you in on the rest.













 

Little Jake

Member
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
196
I'm no help on history of the guitar. Serial number indicates very early '60 shipping date. I would bet the FON begins with "S" so it likely has '59 appointments. Looks like regular sunburst to my eye, not Argentine Gray; pictures of the sides would be definitive. Hope someone can shed more light on its history.
 

JimR56

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Messages
588
Dear All,
I have a vintage ES 345 with serial nr: A 32575 and some hand written initials "BAB" or similar. The color I believe is Argentina sunburst. May someone help me out with the background of my guitar? Is or was it maybe a prototype of a famous musician that Gibson worked togehter back then? Thank you all soooo much in advance for kind advise. Very best, Martina
Your guitar appears to have a standard sunburst finish. "Argentine Grey" (sunburst variation) is more of a deep brown to a golden center, without as much of a gradual reddish blending that is typical on a standard sunburst like yours.

I have seen different things scribbled on Gibson labels over the years. Who knows what the "BAB" or whatever represents. There's no reason to jump to a conclusion that it relates to a famous person or suggests some kind of prototype.

I think your serial number points to 1960, not 1959.

Anyway, a very nice guitar!

Edit: Jake popped in ahead of me. At least we agree!

Argentine Grey:
argentine.jpg
 

MDP

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
6
A huge Thank You to all for all the very kind information. I've been asked to look for the Fon no in the guitar - and here it is:

S 608 4
 
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