Gibson Archtop Guitars

A brief history on Gibson Electric Acoustic Archtop models

Gibson Archtops come in an amazing range of models.  The ES-350 was launched in 1947, and the first "new generation" Gibson electric archtops. It featured 2 fitted pickups and was designed ground up as an archtop electric acoustic archtop guitar.  The single pickup ES-175 followed the ES-350 in 1949. Many consider the ES-175 as the first mass produced electric archtop from Gibson.  Gibson launched a beginner electric in 1950 with the new 3/4 scale ES-140 model. In 1953 the ES-175 was offered with a second pickup.  The L5 and Super 400 were top of the line jazz guitars and in 1951 Gibson added a CES designation with permanently installed twin pickups and controls.  In 1955 Gibson launched Thin Line models often using the "T" designation after the model number.  The new thin line guitars included the Byrdland and the ES-350T.  Thin line guitars appealed to players who wanted a thinner, less bulky guitar. 

The ES-335 was introduced in 1958.  While it looked like it had a thin line body it was actually a semi-hollow body guitar as it featured a solid block of wood running through the center of the body. This made the guitar much less prone to feedback when played at high volume. The ES-345 and 355 were introduced in the same time frame however they offered stereo wiring and a six way selector switch called a "Vari-tone".  TD models were deluxe variations.  Vari-tone was unpopular with players and and many guitars had the vari-tone wiring removed.   Gibson continued to introduce variations of standard and thin line guitars and in the 60's they began to release signature models including the Barney Kessel Custom (1961), Johnny Smith (1961) and the Tal Farlow (1962).  The 1961 ES-330 is a little unusual as it did not feature a solid central block in the body and the neck was set further into the body. Gibson continued to release models in the 70's, 80's, 90's and may of these guitars are still available today.

The ES-345

The ES-345 was introduced in 1959 Gibson and was available until 1982.  It was a a semi-hollow thin double cut body double cut body, 2 humbuckers, 2 volume and 2 tone knobs Vari-Tone. The fingerboard was Rosewood with parallelogram inlays and gold plated parts.

1969 Super 400 CES

The Super 400 CES

Available in 1951 and still being sold today, originally featured a spruce or maple top, dual P-90 pickups, 2 F-holes, ebony fingerboard, inlays, sunburst or natural finish. Alnico V pickups soon replaced the P-90 pickups the humbuckers were added in 1957. The 1969 Super 400 CES had a solid 2 piece back.  This guitar is still in production.

The ES-225T

Sold from 1955 to 1959. Feature a thin body single cut body 1 or 2 P-90 pickups, a trapeze bridge/tailpiece and a rosewood fingerboard with dot fingerboard inlays.

The Gibson ES355-TD

In production from 1959 to 1982, the 355 was a thin body double cut semi-hollow with maple block down center and large block inlays, Vari-tone rotary tone switch  and stereo wiring, 2 humbucking pickups and 2 volume and 2 tone knobs.  Early guitars have factory Bigsby vibratos and late 60's have Maestro Vibratos.  This photo shows a Maestro vibrato and walnut finish. 

1961 ES-175-D

The ES-175-D

Sold 1949 to the present.  Originally had one P-90 pickup, and available in sunburst or natural finish. The D designation on this model denotes it's a dual pickup model. Still available but only as a dual pickup model.

1966 ES-330

The ES-330

Sold from 1959 to 1972.  This is a hollow thin body rather than a semi-hollow with a deeply set neck. Featured 2 P90 pickups, trapeze tailpiece, pearl dot fingerboard inlays.  This model has rectangular inlays where were added in the 60's.

The ES-335

Sold 1958 to present. 1958 Gibson ES-335 specs include thin double cutaway body, semi-hollow body, 2 humbucking pickups, 2 volume and 2 tone knobs, tune-o-matic bridge, and rosewood fingerboard. This later model has rectangular inlays.

The Gibson ES-340

The 340 was available from 1969 to 1984. It was a semi-acoustic double round cutaway with arched maple top, tune-o-matic bridge-trapeze tailpiece.  It included two humbucker pickups, ,volume, mixer and two tone controls plus three position selector switch. It was available in Natural and Walnut finishes.

The Trini Lopez

Sold from 1964 to 1971.  This guitar utilized a ES-335 thinline body with diamond-shaped soundholes, 2 humbuckers, Tune-O-Matic bridge and trapeze tailpiece. 

The Byrdland

Gibson Byrdland Thinline Electric Archtop was first available in 1955 and is still available today.  This was a thinbody short scale version of the L-5CES. Originally featured a carved maple back, 2 Alnico V pickups,ebony fingerboard with block markers, narrow neck in a sunburst or natural finish. The Alnico pickups were replaced with humbucking pickups in 1957.

1968 Gibson Barney Kessel

The Barney Kessel

 

Available from 1961 to 1974. Featured double pointed cutaways, 2 humbucking pickups, tuneomatic bridge, trapeze tailpiece, rosewood fingerboard with parallelogram inlays, nickel plated parts in a cherry sunburst finish. In 1961 inlays were also available in a bow tie pattern.