Interesting… so far I haven’t heard any official word from Gibson, but according to one of the major online guitar retailers Gibson will soon be adding a new model to its current catalog of old school Electric Spanish models––the so-called ES-330 Long Neck.
Not officially a “reissue,” the Custom Shop ES-330 Long Neck will apparently be adorned with period-correct extras like black plastic dog-eared pickup covers and a 17° angled headstock, while also sporting a number of new enhancements.
Unique features are expected to include a period-correct 1-11/16″ Corian nut (for extra strength, durability, and sustain,) a set of premium tulip button tuners, and of course the instrument’s namesake long neck profile.
Resonant Hollowbody Design & P90 Tone
Unlike its close brethren––the ever popular ES-335––the ES-330 features a full hollowbody design with no center block, making for one seriously resonant instrument (and yeah, highly prone to feedback.) It also breaks the mold with a pair of dog-eared P-90s, wired up with Gibson’s Memphis Tone Circuit, which allows for consistent tone at any volume level.
Strangely, in spite of the fact that it’s basically the exact same instrument, the ES-330 has never gained the popularity and mystique of the Epiphone Casino… an instrument probably best known for its use in the hands of 60s era George Harrison, John Lennon, and even Keith Richards.
ES330 Long Neck Specs
Other features will include a plain maple laminated top, back, and rims (in Beale St. Blue, Vintage Sunburst, or Antique Red,) an ultra-thin nitro finish, single-piece Honduran Mahogay neck (with long neck tenon,) a 30/60 neck profile, Rosewood fretboard with 22 frets, and small block pearloid inlays.
Hardware will include an ABR-1 bridge, Trapeze tailpiece, Kluson-style tulip tuners, dual volume & tone knobs with ’60s-style reflector tops, 3-way pickup switching, and 500K Ohm audio taper pots.
The Guitar is retailing for a street price of $2499. Custom Shop Hardshell case included.
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September 25th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Cool…recently picked up a Grant Green album from the early 60s and he played an ES-330. Talk about great tone. Jazzy but with a little extra “pluck.”
September 25th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Maybe when revamping the site you should have changed the name to “P-90 Guitar Review.” ;)
September 25th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Maybe you could explain why this isn’t a 335 and how it got its name. It’s still 24 3/4″ scale length, right? But the bridge is shifted up the body, and the neck attached at a higher fret. Much like an SG vs. a Les Paul.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I’ve never played on one, but I can just imagine the tone. I bet its nice and full, which is very inspiring for the creative process.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Didn’t Alex Chilton play a 330 all over those classic Big Star records? Effin’ glorious, but I’ve sworn off buying custom shop guitars. That’s a rich man’s game, and I’m but a humble civil servant.
October 12th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I like it! But to be period-correct, it should have chrome-covered P-90′s instead of the black ones. Early ES-330′s had black pickups, but they also had the short neck (16 frets clear of the body). Around ’63, the chrome pickups came in, but the long neck (20 frets clear of the body) didn’t come in until ’68, ostensibly to make it more like a 335, but without the 335′s center block. I hope they’re using the wider early 60′s fingerboard instead of the narrow late-’60′s style. Still a cool guitar, though!
October 16th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
about freakin time. gibson said they were going to do this 8 or 10 years ago. i think they made 5 of them and stopped. i guess they decided it would be a bad idea to compete with the epiphone john lennon casino, but since that run is finished the 330 rides again.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:09 am
They are only using the long neck so they can use the 335 ones in production. Saving pennies again. The early short fat necks were best for tone and balance on the strap. I’m very disappointed as I can’t afford an early dot neck.