Original Owner · Connecticut · 1966
The Guitar
He Kept
Since 1966
He played it in Connecticut rock bands during the late 1960s, then kept it in remarkable condition after he stopped playing.
I traveled to Connecticut to buy this 1966 Gibson ES-345 from the man who purchased it new. He played it in several rock bands during the late 1960s, then stopped playing and kept the guitar safely stored. Nearly sixty years later, its cherry finish and gold hardware were still beautifully preserved. It was one of the cleanest 1960s Gibson guitars I had seen.
01
Rock Bands in Connecticut
I met the original owner at his home in a beautiful Connecticut neighborhood. He bought the ES-345 new in 1966 and used it in several local rock bands during the late 1960s.
When his years of playing in bands ended, he kept the guitar. It did not pass through dealers, collectors or a string of later owners. It remained with the same musician who selected it in 1966.
That direct history came from the owner himself. I was able to see the guitar in his home, hear how he used it and photograph him holding it again.
Nearly Sixty Years Old and Still in Exceptional Condition.
02
A Near Mint One Owner Gibson
A clear ownership history matters with a vintage guitar. This ES-345 came directly from the original owner, along with his account of buying it new and playing it during the late 1960s.
The rich cherry finish remains strong and glossy. Its gold hardware, split parallelogram inlays, Varitone control and Maestro vibrato present beautifully. The condition is exceptional for a guitar made in 1966. I would describe it as near mint.
Seeing the guitar in person made the preservation even more striking. It looked as though the owner had put it away much earlier in its life and taken care of it ever since.
The Original Musical Pairing
The 1966 Ampeg Amplifier
The owner also sold me his Ampeg amplifier from 1966. He had owned the amp alongside the ES-345, so the two pieces arrived together with the same history.
The photograph shows him standing with the Ampeg at his Connecticut home. Buying the guitar and its same year amplifier directly from their original owner made this a memorable trip.
Explore Joe's Vintage Guitars
More for Vintage Guitar Owners
The Next Chapter
Preserving the Complete Story
This ES-345 and Ampeg spent close to sixty years with the man who bought them in 1966. The guitar's condition, the matching year amplifier and the owner's photographs preserve a history that could easily have been lost.
I am grateful that he trusted me with both pieces and took the time to share their story.
Read More Guitar Stories