
1959 Gibson ES-345 TDSV "First Rack"
Wow — what a stunning piece of history! This is one of the very first Gibson ES-345s ever made: a beautiful 1959 example in very good condition. It shows only light play wear and some weather checking.
This early ES-345 features a gorgeous sunburst finish, a thin top, long pickguard, and the rare black Varitone ring. It’s also a “first rack” or “first batch” model, identifiable by the distinctive “short leg” PAF in the bridge position — a unique detail used to make room for the Varitone choke. (Thank you Dag for your help on this info!)
The guitar plays and sounds fantastic, with two original and great-sounding PAF pickups. While the Varitone is still present, the wiring has been converted to mono (as many players prefer), making this a truly gig-ready and tone-focused instrument. The output jack and one tone pot have been replaced, all 3 other pots are original.
Includes its original brown Gibson hardshell case.
More details:
- Serial A30971
- FON S60921
- Thin top laminated double cutaway maple body in sunburst
- Mahogany neck - rosewood fretboard with trapeze inlays
- Gibson ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and factory tail piece
- 2 original and unopened PAF's (bridge PAF has a short leg for choke)
- Original long guard, knobs and pick up rings (one changed screw)
- Original Varitone, wiring updated to mono, changed jack
- 3 original pots, one changed pot
- Original Kluson single-line/single-ring tuners
- Original brown Lifton case with pink lining