Archtop Tribute ATC350BK

**telephone** · 10-11-2025, 10:40 AM

Original owner here. I’m making a move on another guitar and something has to go. I already have a ‘51 ES-350, otherwise I’d hang onto this one. Bought direct from the good folks at Walkin’ in Japan in late '23, before they tweaked the headstock shape. This is the guitar Gibson should’ve built to honor Barney Kessel. Ebony fingerboard, nitro finish, CC pickup, open book headstock. Guitar is setup with .013 TI flats, frets show no wear, neck is a nice comfortable medium C, not as big as the old Gibsons of the period, but not skinny either. Plays effortlessly. Guitar is in excellent condition. One might even describe it as mint. Comes with ohsc, which is in excellent condition as well. Looking to net $3300 including shipping to conus.

**telephone** · 10-14-2025, 12:50 PM

Tuesday bump

**Woody Sound** · 10-15-2025, 01:27 PM

I just don’t understand why Gibson couldn’t have done something like that. A lam can’t be that much to make. But I know little about that stuff.

**vinnyv1k** · 10-18-2025, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I just don’t understand why Gibson couldn’t have done something like that. A lam can’t be that much to make. But I know little about that stuff.

I can’t understand why Gibson halted ALL archtop production. They could at least offer special orders as I know the archtop market is weak. They certainly have all the tooling still to make one.

**Stringswinger** · 10-18-2025, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I can’t understand why Gibson halted ALL archtop production. They could at least offer special orders as I know the archtop market is weak. They certainly have all the tooling still to make one.

It seems to me that if I wanted to hire a cat to run a guitar company, I would find a cat with strong experience running a guitar company rather than a cat whose experience is running a clothing company. Lucky for the bankers that now own Gibson, the brand is so strong that they don't have to demand guitar experience from their CEO.

It seems unwise to me for Gibson to not offer their classic archtop designs as a special order at a price that guarantees them a profit. Perhaps skilled guitar making labor is in such short supply today that doing so would mean less production of Lesters and 335's?

**telephone** · 10-18-2025, 12:46 PM

I’m willing to let it go for $3k net, shipped to conus. After import/tariff fees a new in will run north of $4k.

**trailmixer** · 10-18-2025, 05:00 PM

Very nice! May I ask how it compares to your '51 ES-330?

**telephone** · 10-18-2025, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by trailmixer

Very nice! May I ask how it compares to your '51 ES-330?

I assume you meant to type 350 instead of 330? It's a wonderful guitar. My '51 350 has the vibe, sound/feel/smell, one would expect from a vintage Gibson. The ATC350BK feels great, sounds great, is flawlessly constructed. The arched laminate plates seem more modern in their arching - not as pronounced as the '51. I find that to be the same with modern Gibson lams. They just don't make em like they used to. Neck profile will appeal to a wider audience on the ATC. The '51 has a huge neck, but I find it's not a problem for my average sized hands.

Here's a pic of both of em side by side.

**telephone** · 10-25-2025, 11:19 AM

Final bump

**Skip Ellis** · 10-25-2025, 11:50 PM

Can you give me a weight?

**telephone** · 10-26-2025, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

Can you give me a weight?

7.5 lbs on a digital hanging scale. I failed to mention it has a period correct repro CC pickup installed, from ccpickups.co.uk, which adds a little weight over the ATC pickup. I'll include both pickups in the sale. For comparison, my 350 is 7 lbs.

**telephone** · 10-29-2025, 05:44 PM

Sale pending

**MrBruce** · 01-27-2026, 12:14 PM

I bought this really nice guitar from Aaron (telephone) and have played it a bit, but I find I'm more of a flat top guy than archtop. My idea was to do a small swing project, and this guitar does that and more very well! I found I just don't have the energy. I don't want to ship this in this bad weather, the finish is perfect and I don't want it to checker, it'd be a shame so for now I'm hoping to find someone near enough to do a hand off. Willing to drive several hours to meet up, or wait until the weather is better to ship. Aaron's pictures and info are dead on, and for those looking at his 350, he's a great guy to deal with! I'm in Iowa City, IA. Thanks! $3000