More Gibson Dot Neck ES-335 questions

[Lewguitar]

In trying to educate myself about Gibson ES-335 guitars made from 1992 - 2009 I've noticed that some have Grover tuners stock from the factory and some have Kluson style tuners.

It doesn't seem to be a matter of neck profile - seems like most of them have the 60's profile I like.

So which have the Grovers (Rotomatics) and which have the "Kluson" look a likes?

Do those made in Memphis have Grovers and those made in Nashville have "Klusons"?

And are all those made in Memphis from the Custom Shop? Or do they made regular production ES-335 guitars in Memphis as well as Nashville?

Mine is a 2000 Gibson ES-335 with a yellow label that doesn't mention Nashville or Memphis on the label. Only says:
"Gibson USA 01580497 Serial Number ES-335 Model

Can anyone tell me anything I might not know about my particular guitar?

I know very little about Gibson Guitars made in the last twenty years - although I've owned some great vintage Gibsons.

Many Thanks! Lew

[Curly]

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/

"- In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN.

The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with "MADE IN USA" below.

The pattern is as follows:
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.
Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989.

Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s.

Examples: 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. 10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day.

82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day."


so, based on that, it was 497th guitar built on the 158th day of 2000.

------------------------
after further investigation, it was probably the 197th guitar built that day :

All currently manufactured Gibsons (non-custom shop) are stamped with
a hand arbor, and start at 300 or 500, and continue until production is
finished that day. This hand stamp used to be reset daily at #300 or #500
for all the LP style headstocks.

http://www.gibson.com/Files/download...nElectrics.pdf

[marvar]

My 333 (Memphis) came with Kluson's

[Boogie Bill]

My 2006 Antique Sunburst has Grovers.

I think it is the Historic 335s that have the Klusons.

Bill

[Lewguitar]

My 2006 Antique Sunburst has Grovers.

I think it is the Historic 335s that have the Klusons.

Bill

Mine has Kluson "look a likes" and it's not a Historic. It IS a great guitar though, that plays and sounds better than some Historics I've played.

I read that there's a cut out in the center block where the bridge pickup goes to make it easier to install the controls in production models. Mine has that cut out.

Gearjoneser has a custom shop historic ES-335 and his does not have that cut out and so any changes to the controls or pickup connections has to be done by removing the controls through the lower F Hole. What a hassle!

Vintage ES-345 and 355 guitars also have that cut out in the center block because the choke and varitone control won't fit through a F hole,

I've always felt that the cut out makes the guitar sound a little more acoustic. If that's what you want, and I do, it sort of improves the tone.

Curly-mon: thanks for the great info from Gibson!

Lew

[TattooedCarrot]

Mine is a 2009 production Dot, not an Historic:

• 60's neck
• Grovers
• Production SN#
• No CS logo
• Plaintop
• Cutout between the pickups on the control side

[Boogie Bill]

Mine has Klusons and it's not a Historic. It IS a great guitar though, that plays and sounds better than some Historics I've played.

I read that there's a cut out in the center block where the bridge pickup goes to make it easier to install the controls in production models. Mine has that cut out.

Gearjoneser has a custom shop historic ES-335 and his does not have that cut out and so any changes to the controls or pickup connections has to be done by removing the controls through the lower F Hole. What a hassle!

Vintage ES-345 and 355 guitars also have that cut out in the center block because the choke and varitone control won't fit through a F hole,

I've always felt that the cut out makes the guitar sound a little more acoustic. If that's what you want, and I do, it sort of improves the tone.

Curly-mon: thanks for the great info from Gibson!

Lew

One mod you can make to get more "acoustic" tone, if you haven't done it already, is a lightweight aluminum tailpiece. Ive done this mod on three of my LPs with good results, but haven't felt the need with the 335. I believe the Historics do have the LW tailpiece.

I haven't felt the need to go poking around in the innards of my 335, so I couldn't tell you if it has the cutout or not, LOL!. It's pretty darn good just the way it is!

Bill

[TattooedCarrot]

One mod you can make to get more "acoustic" tone, if you haven't done it already, is a lightweight aluminum tailpiece. Ive done this mod on three of my LPs with good results, but haven't felt the need with the 335. I believe the Historics do have the LW tailpiece.

I haven't felt the need to go poking around in the innards of my 335, so I couldn't tell you if it has the cutout or not, LOL!. It's pretty darn good just the way it is!

Bill

You can just look in the F-holes, on the non-control side, you'll see solid block on the center piece between the pickups. On the control side, there is probably a cutout and not solid from the bridge pickup to the middle, to allow for easier access.

I added a lightweight tailpiece to mine, just because I had it laying around in the parts drawer. I don't really hear a difference; it seems to matter more on solid guitars like Les Pauls.

[Lewguitar]

I did hear a difference in tone between an aluminum and the standard pot metal tailpiece in the guitars I've tried that with. That would be my Les Paul and my Hamers. Sold them all though. But what I hear is just what Boogie Bill described: a slightly (very slightly, IMO) lighter and more acoustic tone from the lighter aluminum tailpiece. I think I hear that same quality as the being the difference between the lighter Kluson tuners and heavier Grover Rotomatics, with the Kluson "look a like" tuners giving the guitar a slightly lighter and more acoustic tone. I like the sound of my guitar just the way it is though, which is all stock hardware and the only custom touch being the Tom Holmes humbuckers.

[LtKojak]

Knowing how Gibson works, my guess is they used what they had at the moment in stock. Production just can't stop for say five or six weeks due to tuning pegs shortage.

HTH,

[TattooedCarrot]

Knowing how Gibson works, my guess is they used what they had at the moment in stock. Production just can't stop for say five or six weeks due to tuning pegs shortage

Good point.

[Lewguitar]

I just took a close look at the tuners on my 2000 ES-335. They're Grover Deluxe. They look just like Klusons but the stamping on the back says Grover Deluxe.

[Grandturk]

For frame of reference to the time period, my '92 SG came with "Gibson Deluxe" stamped tuners mfr by Schaller. Years later, I bought a replacement pack - a Gibson blister pack - of "Gibson Deluxe" stamped tuners mfr by Grover.

[TattooedCarrot]

I recently pulled vintage klusen style tuners from a 2005 R7 that were stamped Japan inside the housing, identical to how Gotohs look. And I was the original owner having bought the guitar new from a reputable boutique dealer.

[Gearjoneser]

I'm not positive, but I think 2001 was when they started putting the big metal Grovers on them. 80's - 2000, I THINK they were a bit more random from year to year.