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This is a VOS ES-345. One of the nice things is that the VOS treatment is minimal. I have a couple where more effort was put into the antiquing effort.
While I haven't plugged it in or turned the truss rod, I can find no flaws except a tiny crack in the truss rod cover where the screw must have been over tightened. That is not even worth thinking about, and I have extra TRCs lying around if I cared. It needs a wipe down to get the little particles off.
This ES-345 feels like the one I had as a kid. It weighs 9.1 lbs and seems to have a solid maple block.
The finish is definitely characteristic of the 60s. I like the maple figuring. There's virtually no flame, the old school way.
I'm pleased.
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12-01-2017 03:29 PM
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That guitar looks so in the moment I can hear it. Ohh.
And I notice all of the pole screws are offset 45deg. From the factory?
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Thanks.
I haven't touched the screws.
Originally Posted by TedBPhx
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Congrats Mark! My 68 ES-335 had that same woodgrain (and was cherry).
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Marty, it is about time someone posted the same '64 I have. I was beginning to think I was the only one who bought one! I got mine from what I believe was the first group CME got. I know the price is higher on them now and they're giving less off now too.
I'm totally happy with mine and quite agree with your assessment. I'm not a huge fan of the VOS, but its not bad when done minimally like this and doesn't look like it was decoupaged.
I like colors okay too, if they are transparent and you can easily see the wood grain glowing. And with this "Sixties Cherry", you certainly can enjoy the wood grain.
This model was definitely my pic of the litter, too!
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Another CME success story. We love happy endings. Sweet axe Mark !
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Boy, this brings back memories! When I bought my 345 (patent sticker pups) from the original owner, it came with hang tags and flatwounds and it was still in tune. It was in tune, as it turned out, because it was unplayable beyond first position due to a really badly cut nut. I fixed that and ditched the nylon saddles for steelies and it remained my #1 until I got my first PRS Custom 24. And I, for one, LOVE the oft-derided Varitone. With a JBL-loaded Music Man 112 RD and a homemade extension cab with a 15" JBL, the tonal possibilities were nearly endless. Congratulations on a great guitar, and play it in good health!
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+1 On the varitone, but they are not all the same. The vt in my 137 is only usable in the first 2 settings while my 345 and blueshawk are usable on all the settings without unusable volume drops or getting too thin sounding.
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Awesome. Anyone remember this guy?
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Fooled around and fell in love... Elvin Bishop and Ol' Red Dog.... Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Awesome. Anyone remember this guy?
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All I need is a fuzz tone and wah wah pedal. Oh, and a Dual Showman.
Originally Posted by GNAPPI
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You've sold so many fantastic archtops and have now gone wild with semi's. Good 4 U!
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Great looking guitar, Marty. I've owned a ES-345TDCSV since January, 1966. It's in excellent condition, just one small area of very minor finish checking. The stereo feature and the Varitone still work as "advertised". I measure the "playability" of my other guitars by how well they stack-up against the 345 in terms of neck profile, action and tone.
Good luck and good playing.
Tony D.
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Had a Dual Showman Reverb (with JBLs), a Boss-Tone (actually my first purchase, before I even had a guitar, let alone could play one), and a Cry Baby. Oh, and coil-cords all over the place. Good times! Originally Posted by Marty Grass
All I need is a fuzz tone and wah wah pedal. Oh, and a Dual Showman.
I saw one of these in the back of an antique store a couple of years back, and used up a decade's worth of self restraint not buying it. Kinda hurt, but I got over it. Sorta.
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Anybody remember this guy?
How's the angle over the bridge? I'm asking because I've heard that it can be too shallow sometimes. It's fine on my 355, though.
Happy New Guitar Day - that's a beauty!
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Maybe Santa will bring you a Dual Showman Reverb.
I'm no longer in a position to put such a beast to good use. Gone are the days of those awesome Marshall towers and chains of powerful Fenders.
Originally Posted by citizenk74
Had a Dual Showman Reverb (with JBLs), a Boss-Tone (actually my first purchase, before I even had a guitar, let alone could play one), and a Cry Baby. Oh, and coil-cords all over the place. Good times!
I saw one of these in the back of an antique store a couple of years back, and used up a decade's worth of self restraint not buying it. Kinda hurt, but I got over it. Sorta.
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Hmm. I don't remember this guy. I like his taste in guitars though.
The break angle on the standard ES-345 is, of course, the same as the 335. That varies on the neck set angle, which changed year by year, at least early on. The break angle is steep generally to increase sustain.
The Maestro tailpiece is a cool piece of engineering. The break angle is shallower, which allows an easier vibrato effect and return to tuned pitch. Bigsbys have a more acute break angle, particularly in the smaller body guitars like Les Pauls. The bridge saddles can snag the strings.
Originally Posted by TOMMO
Anybody remember this guy?
How's the angle over the bridge? I'm asking because I've heard that it can be too shallow sometimes. It's fine on my 355, though.
Happy New Guitar Day - that's a beauty!
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Mark you are acquiring quite the 335 model based collection. Look out Larry Carlton there is a new Mr.335 in town or maybe we should call you Mr.345. Nothing sweeter than a cherry red 345.
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Freddie King!
BIG Dual Showman Amp fan, here, by the way. I had a regular blackface Showman Amp, myself. Great amps. LOUD!
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...and a pain to lug around.... Originally Posted by Greentone
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Originally Posted by Marty Grass
All I need is a fuzz tone and wah wah pedal. Oh, and a Dual Showman.
Originally Posted by citizenk74
Had a Dual Showman Reverb (with JBLs), a Boss-Tone (actually my first purchase, before I even had a guitar, let alone could play one), and a Cry Baby. Oh, and coil-cords all over the place. Good times!
I saw one of these in the back of an antique store a couple of years back, and used up a decade's worth of self restraint not buying it. Kinda hurt, but I got over it. Sorta.Whether unfortunate or not, I have not got over it. Besides a few Marshalls, I have this to scratch my Dual Showman itch (and no, I don't cart it around): Originally Posted by TOMMO
...and a pain to lug around....
Really nice, Tony. That's the inspiration that lead to me getting one now. I still remember drooling over them (and others) in the '66 Gibson Catalog. Originally Posted by pilotony
Great looking guitar, Marty. I've owned a ES-345TDCSV since January, 1966. It's in excellent condition, just one small area of very minor finish checking. The stereo feature and the Varitone still work as "advertised". I measure the "playability" of my other guitars by how well they stack-up against the 345 in terms of neck profile, action and tone.
Good luck and good playing.
Tony D.
Can't argue with that! Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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Marty,
You're killing me with all the NGD's! I'm losing track and need to review the posts to make sure I haven't forgotten to congratulate you on one. I love it! Nice guitar.
Steve
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Marty, any playing time in for a report?
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Here's my report. But first a little background.
I worked after school and on Saturdays regularly since sixth grade. Prior to that it was less regular. Our family owned a party store, and it was something expected of me. The good news about working was that I had money.
I had a cherry ES-345 in eighth grade that looked mint to me. It probably was bought by a Gibson employee at a deep discount and sold to me.
Over the next four years I bought and sold many, maybe 12, 330s, 335s, 345s and 355s. Kids would get one, take a couple of lessons, then want to dump the guitar. I knew enough players that I could always sell or trade. There were also many guitars I played that my friends had. So I've had an extensive experience with Gibson electrics of the 60s and 70s.
The ES-345TDC 1964 VOS is a good example of that era. The weight is typical. The feel and quality is the same of one of their good specimens. The VOS treatment is a little strange, but it is fine.
The action and neck carve are excellent. The pickups are quality PAFish and rival the competition. I would not think of replacing them. The electronics are also excellent.
The cherry finish and maple figuring are exactly what they were back in the day. Beautiful.
The Maestro tailpiece is elegant. The vibrato works well and is simpler than the Bigsby. As an aside, I recently saw Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert. Her guitarist used a SG with the Maestro vibrato to superb effect on many songs.
This guitar very much takes me back to an earlier time. The world was complicated, but not like it seems today. There was a sense of hope for meaningful change. The Beatles were still together. Music was bought at a store, not streamed. There was time between daily activities to think, to daydream, to be bored and let the thoughts in that being bored delivered, and there was always face to face discussion, importantly with people who held different views than yourself.
This 345 is a fine instrument without the emotional link to the past. I additionally enjoy being transported back to a time when I awaited the next Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and Rolling Stones albums.
I've forgotten all of the events my 345 kept me company during. There were lots, some elating and some more than tragic.
In summary, I'm happy with this guitar. I'm glad I took the plunge. The 9 lbs. on my shoulder is well worth the heft.
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