I'll never sell it, but what's it worth?

[Jeff S]

I'm going to open the door to total SWAGs here. I have a 1973 ES-335-TDC that I bought in 1975 from the original owner. Not knowing any better I stripped the Chuck Berry red stain out and refinished it with polyurethene varnish spray, and I added a switch to put the neck pickup out of phase. It doesn't look bad but it's definitely not a pro finish job. And you won't see many other ES-335's with a natural finish.

This model has the trapeze tailpiece, which I have not seen on another ES-335.

What is this axe worth today if in original condition? How badly did I destroy the value by taking off the original finish and drilling a hole in it?

This is a recreational discussion only because I love this guitar and I'll never sell it.

[Jeff S]

I forgot, I also replaced the tuners with a set of Grovers. I have no idea where the original set is today.

[Emmitt O.]

Jeff:
Had it been left in original condition it would have been worth somewhere around $1800-2700 according to the Vintage Guitar Price Guide. However, all of the things you've done to the guitar have hurt the resale value. So, I would guess it's worth somewhere around $1400 or so.

Just a S.W.A.G.
Emmitt O.

[Bob Mc]

it's now completeley worthless, and you should thank me for taking it off your hands?




Didn't think so.

[Shemp]

I'm going to open the door to total SWAGs here. I have a 1973 ES-335-TDC that I bought in 1975 from the original owner. Not knowing any better I stripped the Chuck Berry red stain out and refinished it with polyurethene varnish spray, and I added a switch to put the neck pickup out of phase. It doesn't look bad but it's definitely not a pro finish job. And you won't see many other ES-335's with a natural finish.

This model has the trapeze tailpiece, which I have not seen on another ES-335.

What is this axe worth today if in original condition? How badly did I destroy the value by taking off the original finish and drilling a hole in it?

This is a recreational discussion only because I love this guitar and I'll never sell it.

What's important is that you love it! That's all the value you need be concerned with.

[Lance]

Hey Buddy!

My guess is $1600-$1900. On gbase.com, 70's 335s are going for 1900 to 3200. (in fact there's two just like yours in the orginal finish there now for 3-ish) However, with the refin, it'll be hard to get near that.

L-

[Jeff S]

Thanks, guys--Lance, you already know this, but I can't help but say that in 1974-ish I paid $250 for this guitar. :shock:

I have thought about having it professionally refinished, but I am afraid that it might actually hurt the tone. I like it how it is and I don't want to risk it.

[Lance]

I don't think the tone would suffer as long as the person doing the work went with thin nitro. But, you'd be looking at stripping it AGAIN...and then finishing. It might mess is up worse....plus, from what I remember, there was nothing about the top's grain that really stood out. If it had a wild flame top, I'd say a nice tobacco-burst finish might be justified.

Leave it alone and consider it a great gig guitar that you don't need to fret (no pun intended) about when the drunken slobs are hanging around.

[Kerry Vance]

I have one of the fairly rare 1968 es-335 12-strings that was converted to a six string a few years before I bought it, in 1975. It has all original sunburst finish that has aged beautifully. The headstock was shortened to standard size and the tuners were re-spaced to standard and the extra holes were filled in. The Gibson logo inlay was even moved. Other than the headstock it is a beautiful guitar. It sounds great, too. I wouldn't have a need for it as a 12 string, but as it is it's one of my favorites. Like yours a lot of the collectors value is gone but I wouldn't take for mine either.
Kerry

[guilddigger]

hi, i'm new here.
i had a very nice 1969 es-175 d up until a year and a half ago. i sold it because i simply didn't use it anymore.
i went for sek 25000 (appr. $2500 at the time ) and after comission was payed i kept 20000. there are days i really miss that guitar...

[dickityjamie]

I heard from various guitar painters that once you remove the finish (espically from a collectors guitar) you eliminalte almost all the value. But I don't know for sure

[Knucklehead]

If you like the guitar keep it and forget about it's value.

My .02 is that even though the asking prices on these early/mid '70s 335TDC are near $3K, I doubt many if any sell for that price, even for half that. My guess is there's a market in the $1200. and under range. My reason being that the early and mid '60s models are what players are buying, and the current pricing of Historics, which can be had for $2000. and under for a nicely flamed Dot neck presents a compelling alternative to a Norlin era guitar.

If you are concerned about the guitar's value it might be worth restoring to it's original condition, right down to the the Cherry Red paint.
The important thing is that you play and enjoy the guitar.