1959 Gibson ES-345 Red

About twelve years ago, I went to buy a red 1960 ES-345 from a private seller. At that time there were no known, authenticated red 59 345's. That "60" turned out to be the first red 59 ever made. Since then, a few more have surfaced and I've been lucky enough more than half of them. There are 9 known at the present time. All red ones in 59 used the old photo reactive dye-the same one used on Les Paul bursts-and they fade. Usually to a watermelon red like this one. This one is converted to mono but the original stereo harness is included and is in one piece with the Varitone intact. PAFs are original and only the bridge pickup has been opened to flip the magnet for proper phase. Bridge is a zebra, neck is double black. Everything is original except for the tuners and the mono harness. Neck profile is medium chunky (around .86" at the first and .95" at the 12th fret). It is one of only 3 red 59's with the black Varitone ring. The guitar had a Bigsby added at some point but is currently set up as a stop with the original tailpiece and studs. There are holes in the top and at the end pin. It has the very desirable thin top. Tuners are pat pending Grovers. Case is a Lifton with a red interior, not pink. The last red 59 I had came in the same case configuration, so I figure its original. It is a spectacular player.