'56 Gibson ES 350T. Chuck Berry,Byrdland. $3.5K

Blue Drag

1956 Gibson ES 350T in Sunburst. The “Chuck Berry” guitar, the “Plain Byrdland”. A short scale, 23.5”, same as the Byrdland. Like the Byrdland it’s 2 1/4” width puts it in between an L5 @ 3 3/8” and a 335 @ 1 3/4”. Features 2 P-90 pickups and laminated maple top, back and sides with nice “flame”. 1956 is the only year where this configuration was available. Before ‘56 the ES 350 was a full-body, full-sale guitar with P-90s, after ‘56 the ES 350 and 350T featured PAF pickups. This guitar was obviously played a lot, as evidenced by the lack of finish on the upper back of the neck , but it was also obviously well cared for as the excellent overall condition of the guitar demonstrates. It has an “alligator-y” checking and fading of the finish around the input jack. I asked at internationally-known Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, Ca. if they had seen this before. The repair person said he had seen it on violins but only rarely on guitars and didn’t know what caused it. The changes made prior to my ownership were replaced Kluson tuners, replaced pots and that it once sported a Bigsby. There are no Bigsby holes on the top and the holes surrounding the end pin are covered by the period correct tailpiece. The short-scale neck is shaped to the hand and perfect for chords covering several frets as well as single note lines. I switch between the 350 and a Strat, a 335, and a Les Paul with no “getting used to it” period. This guitar easily nails Grant Green-like jazz tones as well as excellent Jump Blues and Rock-a-billy (check out Danny Gatton on YouTube playing a Sun Records Medly on a ‘56 350T: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkU3sBP8Pg), Eric Clapton played the blues on one in “Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhNjQBsBPLY) and of course Chuck Berry used one for his early Chess Rock & Roll sides. This is a beautiful, beautiful instrument with no issues. Sale includes newer Gibson case w/shroud.
$3500.00 (+3% if using PayPal)

Photo Slideshow here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39797951@N ... 442026892/

Tele295

That '56 ES-350 Gatton is playing in that clip is one that he has had since it was purchased new by Danny's father for him for $375. Danny, ever the inquisitive 12-year old at the time, took it apart to see what made it work. His dad was not pleased.

In the early 60's, Danny sold the guitar for $150 to cover the down-payment on a white 1958 Chevy Impala so he could drive to work. The purchaser sent the instrument back to the Gibson factory to be refinished and refretted. The factory also added the rubber washer around the pick-up switch (not a '56 feature) and replaced either the entire Bigsby tailpiece or the handle thereof.
Danny eventually reacquired the guitar and used the instrument throughout the rest of his life.



See my Gatton website for more info about Danny http://www.dannygatton.info