The 1964 Gibson ES-330TD is a classic vintage Gibson hollow-body electric guitar, combining a fully hollow thinline construction with the unmistakable character of two P-90 pickups. Lightweight, highly resonant and exceptionally responsive, the ES-330TD has long been valued for its ability to move effortlessly between warm jazz tones, articulate blues and gritty rock sounds.

This particular example retains its original tone pots and sought-after Bumblebee capacitors, preserving an important part of its vintage circuitry. The volume pots were replaced in the late 1970s, while the guitar has also been fitted with ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners.

With its laminated maple body, mahogany neck, bound rosewood fingerboard and 24.75" scale length, this ES-330TD offers the distinctive feel and acoustic resonance that make vintage Gibson hollow-body guitars so appealing to both players and collectors.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Model	Gibson ES-330TD
Year	1964
Body	Fully hollow thinline
Body Construction	Laminated maple
Finish	Sunburst or natural finish
Binding	Cream
Neck	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Bound rosewood
Pickups	2 × original Gibson P-90
Tone Pots	Original
Volume Pots	Replaced in the late 1970s
Capacitors	Bumblebee
Tuners	’60s reissue Gibson Kluson
Scale Length	24.75"
Weight	Lightweight
Primary Character	Warm, resonant, dynamic vintage tone

Condition Overview

Vintage Example With Documented Replacement Components

This 1964 ES-330TD retains a significant amount of its vintage specification, including its two original Gibson P-90 pickups, original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors.

The volume pots were replaced in the late 1970s, and the tuners have been replaced with ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners. These details should be taken into account by collectors assessing originality, while the retained original circuitry and pickups remain important aspects of the instrument's character.

What's Included?

• ✔ 1964 Gibson ES-330TD

• ✔ Two original Gibson P-90 pickups

• ✔ Original tone pots

• ✔ Bumblebee capacitors

• ✔ ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners

• ✔ Replacement volume pots fitted in the late 1970s

Condition Notes

The supplied information identifies the volume pots as having been replaced in the late 1970s. The tuners have also been changed to ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson units.

Importantly, the two Gibson P-90 pickups, tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors are identified as original. These retained components form an important part of the guitar's vintage specification.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

For a vintage ES-330, the condition and originality of the electronics are particularly important. The supplied specification identifies:

• ✔ 1964 Gibson ES-330TD

• ✔ Fully hollow thinline construction

• ✔ Laminated maple body

• ✔ Mahogany neck

• ✔ Bound rosewood fingerboard

• ✔ Two original Gibson P-90 pickups

• ✔ Original tone pots

• ✔ Bumblebee capacitors

• ✔ Volume pots replaced in the late 1970s

• ✔ ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners

• ✔ 24.75" scale length

Service / Setup Work

The supplied information does not specify any additional Fair Deal Music setup or servicing work carried out on this individual guitar.

As with any vintage instrument, setup requirements can vary according to its current condition and the preferences of the player.

What Makes The 1964 Gibson ES-330TD Special?

The ES-330TD occupies a distinctive position in Gibson's vintage electric guitar range. Unlike semi-hollow designs, the ES-330 is fully hollow, allowing the body to contribute significantly to the instrument's acoustic resonance and responsiveness.

Combined with a pair of P-90 pickups, this creates an electric guitar with a particularly lively and immediate character. The instrument can sound warm and rounded when played cleanly, while the P-90s respond dynamically when pushed into overdrive.

This example is especially interesting because it retains its original P-90 pickups, original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors, while also carrying a documented history of later replacement components.

Key Features & Benefits

Fully Hollow Laminated Maple Body

The ES-330TD features a fully hollow thinline body constructed from laminated maple.

This construction gives the guitar a strong acoustic contribution and helps create the airy, resonant quality associated with the ES-330 design.

Its lightweight nature also makes it comfortable for extended playing sessions.

Two Original Gibson P-90 Pickups

The guitar retains its two original Gibson P-90 pickups, one in the neck position and one in the bridge position.

P-90s are particularly responsive to playing dynamics, allowing the player to move from clean, articulate sounds to aggressive overdrive without losing the character of the instrument.

Original Tone Pots & Bumblebee Capacitors

The guitar retains its original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors, important details for anyone interested in the vintage circuitry of the instrument.

The original tone-control components contribute to the guitar's period character and are an especially desirable feature when assessing a vintage ES-330.

Late-1970s Replacement Volume Pots

The volume pots were replaced in the late 1970s.

This is an important originality note, but it does not detract from the fact that the guitar retains its original P-90 pickups, tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors.

Mahogany Neck

The mahogany neck provides the traditional Gibson foundation for the instrument's playing feel.

Combined with the 24.75" scale length, it gives the ES-330 the familiar shorter-scale Gibson feel.

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard

The bound rosewood fingerboard complements the guitar's vintage appearance while providing a smooth playing surface.

Its traditional styling works particularly well with the cream body binding and classic Gibson aesthetic.

’60s Reissue Gibson Kluson Tuners

The guitar is fitted with ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners.

These retain the visual character of the original-style hardware while being clearly identified as reissue components rather than original 1964 tuners.

Tone & Playing Experience

The ES-330TD's fully hollow construction and P-90 pickups produce a sound that is notably lively and responsive.

Clean, the neck pickup can provide warm, rounded tones suitable for jazz and blues, while the bridge pickup offers greater bite and articulation. Push the P-90s into overdrive and the guitar takes on the gritty, aggressive character that has made vintage Gibson P-90 instruments so popular with rock and blues players.

The fully hollow construction also gives the instrument an acoustic responsiveness that is different from a solid-body Les Paul or a conventional semi-hollow guitar.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson ES-335

The ES-335 is a semi-hollow design, whereas the ES-330TD is fully hollow. The 330 therefore has a more pronounced acoustic contribution and a particularly open, resonant response.

Gibson ES-330T

The ES-330T shares the same fundamental design but uses a single P-90. The ES-330TD adds a second pickup, providing greater tonal flexibility.

Gibson Les Paul

A Les Paul is a solid-body guitar with a fundamentally different acoustic response. The ES-330TD is lighter, fully hollow and equipped with P-90s, giving it a more open and immediate character.

Modern Hollow-Body Reissues

Modern reissues can offer vintage-inspired styling and specifications, but a genuine 1964 example provides the experience and character of an actual vintage Gibson instrument, along with the individual history of the guitar itself.

Who Is It For?

The 1964 ES-330TD is particularly suited to:

• Vintage Gibson collectors

• Jazz guitarists

• Blues players

• Rock guitarists

• P-90 enthusiasts

• Players seeking a lightweight hollow-body guitar

• Musicians looking for strong acoustic resonance from an electric guitar

• Studio musicians seeking distinctive vintage tones

• Players who appreciate original vintage electronics

Suitable Genres & Applications

The ES-330TD's combination of hollow-body resonance and P-90 pickups makes it particularly effective for:

• Jazz

• Blues

• Blues rock

• Classic rock

• Rock

• Indie

• Garage rock

• Alternative

• R&B

• Studio recording

• Live performance

Its clean-to-overdriven range makes it equally useful for mellow chord work and more aggressive lead playing.

Story & Context

The ES-330 is one of Gibson's best-known fully hollow electric guitar designs, offering an alternative to the company's solid-body and semi-hollow instruments.

The thinline body and P-90 pickup combination gave the model a distinctive identity, particularly among players looking for a guitar that combined electric amplification with substantial acoustic resonance.

This 1964 example retains several particularly important vintage components, including its original P-90 pickups, original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors. The later replacement of the volume pots in the late 1970s and subsequent fitting of ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners add to the individual history of the instrument.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Brand	Gibson
Model	ES-330TD
Year	1964
Body Type	Fully hollow thinline
Body Construction	Laminated maple
Finish	Sunburst or natural
Body Binding	Cream
Neck	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Bound rosewood
Pickups	2 × original Gibson P-90
Tone Pots	Original
Volume Pots	Replaced late 1970s
Capacitors	Bumblebee
Tuners	’60s reissue Gibson Kluson
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	Not specified in supplied information

Vintage Specification Note

The supplied information confirms that this example retains its original Gibson P-90 pickups, original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors.

The volume pots were replaced in the late 1970s, and the tuners are ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson units. These distinctions are important when assessing the guitar's originality.

No further claims about component originality have been made beyond the information supplied.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★

A highly desirable vintage Gibson for players who want genuine hollow-body resonance, classic P-90 tone and the character of a 1960s instrument.

The fully hollow laminated maple body gives this ES-330TD a wonderfully distinctive foundation, while the two original Gibson P-90 pickups provide the dynamic response that makes these guitars so versatile.

The retained original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors are particularly notable, while the documented replacement volume pots and ’60s reissue tuners provide a transparent picture of the instrument's history.

For a player or collector looking for a vintage Gibson with personality, resonance and genuine 1960s character, this ES-330TD is a compelling example.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

With vintage guitars, originality and history both matter.

This ES-330TD is particularly interesting because it retains several important original components while also having documented replacements. At Fair Deal Music, we believe those details should be made clear so buyers can assess the instrument properly.

For players, the replacement components need not diminish the appeal of the guitar. What remains is a genuine 1964 Gibson platform with original P-90 pickups and vintage circuitry delivering the distinctive character these instruments are known for.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

• Independent UK music retailer

• Specialist knowledge across vintage guitars

• Clear and transparent product descriptions

• Honest disclosure of known replacement components

• Practical advice from experienced music retail specialists

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Trade-in and upgrade options

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about changing your guitar collection?

Our trade-in and upgrade service can help you put the value of an existing instrument towards another vintage Gibson, a modern guitar or something completely different.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is this Gibson ES-330TD?

This particular ES-330TD is from 1964.

Is the Gibson ES-330TD fully hollow?

Yes. The ES-330TD has a fully hollow thinline body, rather than the semi-hollow construction associated with models such as the ES-335.

What is the ES-330TD body made from?

The body is constructed from laminated maple.

What pickups does this 1964 ES-330TD have?

It has two original Gibson P-90 pickups.

Are the P-90 pickups original?

Yes. The supplied information specifically identifies both P-90 pickups as original.

Does this ES-330 have original Bumblebee capacitors?

Yes. The guitar retains its Bumblebee capacitors.

Are the volume pots original?

No. The volume pots were replaced in the late 1970s.

Are the tone pots original?

Yes. The supplied information identifies the tone pots as original.

Does it have original tuners?

No. The guitar has been fitted with ’60s reissue Gibson Kluson tuners.

What is the scale length?

The scale length is 24.75 inches, giving it the familiar Gibson short-scale feel.

What is the neck made from?

The neck is made from mahogany.

What type of fingerboard does it have?

The guitar features a bound rosewood fingerboard.

Is the ES-330TD good for jazz?

Yes. Its warm, resonant hollow-body character and neck P-90 make it particularly well suited to jazz and clean chordal playing.

Is the ES-330TD good for rock?

Yes. The P-90 pickups provide plenty of articulation and bite when driven, making the ES-330TD particularly effective for blues rock, classic rock, garage rock and related styles.

What is the difference between an ES-330 and ES-335?

The key construction difference is that the ES-330 is fully hollow, whereas the ES-335 uses a semi-hollow design with a centre block. This gives the ES-330 a particularly resonant and acoustically responsive character.

Is this 1964 ES-330TD suitable for collectors?

Yes. Its 1964 vintage, original Gibson P-90 pickups, original tone pots and Bumblebee capacitors make it particularly interesting to collectors, while its documented replacement components should be considered when assessing overall originality.