1959 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst

HOLDWhen I buy a vintage 335, especially an expensive one, I have a lot of the same disadvantages that any buyer has. I don't get to play the guitar before I buy it and I don't get to inspect the parts that the seller can't easily get to especially when buying from an elderly widow or a non player relative. I can see if it has been abused or well cared for and I can see, in general what parts are correct and what parts are changed. But I have an advantage over you. You see, 335's are made in batches of 35 guitars called a "rack". Guitars in the same rack have the same factory order number (until they stopped using them in 61)except for the last one or two digits. I keep a very detailed data base of guitars with their FONs and serial numbers so if a guitar with a FON that I've had before comes up, I can be better assured that it will be a lot like the one I had before. They are often cut from the same piece of wood and are often assembled by the same folks. This very early 59 (January) is from rack T7280 which means the build was started in 1958 (the "T" tells you that). As it turns out I have sold three other guitars from that rack and my notes tell me they were all excellent. This one is as well. Big fat neck measuring .92" at the first fret and .99" at the 12th. Thin top (always a good thing) with no cracks around the jack (a common issue with thin tops). Sealed PAF pickups are blistering hot at 8.43K and 8.83K. Both have perfect stickers and are double black (too early for whites). The only issue is the original tuner tips deteriorated and have been replaced with modern exact match repros. Originals in the case. Frets are original small 58 style and have plenty of life left. Neck angle is shallow so the bridge is lightly shaved on the treble side only. This was done at the factory most of the time. The bridge sits on the top so if you want the action lower, you'll have to shave the bridge a bit more. That's often the price of admission into the very best 335's (late 58 and early 59). Condition is 9+. I can't quite call it near mint but its awfully close. Almost no checking and the finish shines like new. A few dings and couple of scratches on the back but no player wear anywhere. Guitar weighs 7 lbs 15 ounces. When I buy 335's, I seek out late 58's and early 59's as they are consistently the best of the best. Sometimes a late 59 or even a 60 will show up with a 58 FON and those are every bit as good. Case is original Stone 5 latch with all latches working correctly (and both case keys). The guitar comes with the original sales receipt, hang tag with matching serial number, two instruction sheets and few extra vintage strings