1968 Gibson ES-345 TDC Stereo

Gibson ES-345 TDC Stereo 1968 full front view

Comments	The ES-345 model with stereo and varitone was next to top of the line for Gibson thinlines – the next step was the ES-355, with the same general features but an ebony fingerboard, block position markers, more binding, and often a Bigsby or Maestro Vibrola. The TDC in the formal model name means that it’s a Thinline, Double pickup, and Cherry finish. This 1968 Gibson ES-345 TDC Stereo is in good condition and plays well.
Serial Number	940767, built during 1968 at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA.
Pricing	$3,799.99 CAD with original case. SOLD
Neck	Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, split parallelogram position markers, black headplate with Gibson logo and leaf in mother of pearl. There has been a headstock repair – at some point, one of the headstock ‘wings’ cracked and was glued back on. This may have occured due to a replacement tuning gear being a bit too tight. The repair is stable and the damage was not structural.
Frets	Original frets with some wear.
Body	Classic Gibson thinline ES-3×5 body design, with maple laminate top, back and sides, maple block down the center, and F-holes.
Finish	Original gloss nitrocellulose lacquer cherry tint finish, with some wear.
Hardware/electronics	Wired as stereo, with varitone. There have been some wiring repairs or modifications somewhere in the past; the bridge pickup pots are missing their sheilding cans. Gold plated metal components; the ABR bridge has the nylon saddles typical of the period. Currently has gold Kluson-Deluxe tuners with plastic keystone buttons, but other tuners have been installed in the past.
Playability/Action	Plays well and cleanly. This version of the design, with the trapeze rather than the stop tailpiece, has a rounder, more resonant tone with less attack.
Case	Original hardshell case included.