1959 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst

HOLDEvery once in a great while, you get a 335 with a little number "2" on the back of the headstock. Conventional wisdom says "it's a factory 2nd" but actually, the little "2" means that the guitar went back to the spray booth a second time in order to address some flaw or other. I learned this from a gentleman who worked in the Gibson paint shop in the early 60's until the late 60's. It can be a tiny touchup or it can be a full repaint. It can also be nothing-guitars were often stamped two when an employee wanted to take it home-they were only allowed to take a guitar that had the "2"designation. Anyway, QC found a flaw in the wood (a knot probably) at the lower end of the top and the boys in the paint shop decided to make the sunburst unusually deep to cover the flaw. End of story. This is that guitar and it's a pretty cool looking one. You can bet there aren't more than a few like this. The finish is reminiscent of the 40's J-45s and I love it. The guitar black lights perfectly. Folks will likely question the finish no matter what but the little "2" kind of justifies it. But the guitar…the guitar is fabulous. Biggest neck I've ever had on a 335-.93" at the first fret and 1.04 at the 12th. Great PAFs have never been opened. It resonates like a 58 and plays like a 59. It doesn't get better than that. I know of four. It is all original except for the tuner tips (they tend to disintegrate on 59's). Condition is 9+. Case is original brown Stone.