Gibson ES 335 question?

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

I've been considering selling my 335 because I have arthritis in my left hand and it's painful to play anymore. I went online to see what the guitar is worth and the average price is about $4,000.
It's a mid-late '80's ES 335 reissue of the Dot series.
It's only been played out twice and that was not for a whole night.
Is that price normal for these guitars?
Sorry for the picture angle.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

well it sure is a nice guitar no doubt, the going prices can be anywhere from $2500 and up, based on REVERB sales and on any given day along with various "finishes". 4K may very well be at the tipity top of the market for it's heritage, being an 80's DOT reissue.
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Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

Thanks Tony, I've seen them from $2,500 up to $6,000 but I don't keep track of actual sales. I'll probably just put it up for sale and see what happens????
Reverb is the site that I based the 4 G's on.
I'll try to get a few more pics up.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Like Tony said, being a reissue will diminish its worth.
Erv

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

VG Price guide estimate for the 1981-1990 non-custom-shop Gibson ES-335 DOT reissue Natural finish in excellent all-original condition is in the $3000-4000 range. Natural often commands more money than cherry or sunburst, but not always - it can depend on how nice it looks.

There are a few variables that might affect this like exact condition above/below excellent, overall looks including figuring in wood (burl or curly maple), neck shape, and so on, but that ought to give a basic ballpark to start from.

There was a custom shop CMT version in the mid-80s, about the same range. By '91 they went to a slightly different version which doesn't generally command the same money as the 80s DOT reissues, unless you're talking about the Customs Shop DOT Historic, again same general range, $3000-4000. A friend of mine has one of the latter in his shop at about $4000.

Of course, you're not gonna know what it's worth till you test the waters. But I don't think $4000 is outlandish as a starting point. Stiill, I think that's generally pretty top-retail-dollar for one of these - just my opinion.

No point in comparing to an original natural, bound dot-neck ES-335, made from about '58 to maybe '60 or '61, and run about $50,000-60,000. An 80s Natural ES-335 DOT reissue is a nice guitar.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I noticed that there is a big difference in the asking price and the selling price. Too many folks look at the buy it now and think that is what it's worth. Same with Rwverb. I found that quite a few instruments were sold for about two thirds of the listed or asking price.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Ben, Dave is pretty spot on... Only thing I would add, is that it depends on how long you want to wait.. $4000 is tip top retail, and even dealers aren't getting that much.. The one on Reverb is also on ebay, i think the dealer wants $3600, and no bites in a month.. The vintage guitar market is down right now, and there is a LOT of beautiful old stuff out there staying unsold these days, and will stay that way until prices drop. I think you should drop the price down, start at maybe $3400, and be willing to negotiate, depending on how bad you want to sell the guitar.. Cheaper always sells faster as we know... As Dave said you do have a natural, and they are somewhat more desirable, but a collector can find custom shop 1980'2 Dot 335 reissues with gorgeous flame maple, at $4K+ and thats what most guys want if they can find them, over standard production model.

The market will let you know the value, and then you have to decide on if you want to part with it for the offers you get.. I think mid 3K range or best offer is where I would start, and see what offers you get.. The classifieds right here are a good place to start.. bob
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Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

Thanks everyone for all the responses, I appreciate the input. It's not a must sell situation but maybe some other picker could put it to better use.
I got a message for a possible sale or trade that may work out.
Be well my Forum brothers!

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

Well I haven't got word about the sale/trade possibility so I guess I'll put my 335 on the market for $3500.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

There's evidently a ton of these out there for sale:

https://reverb.com/p/gibson-es-335-dot-reissue-electric-guitar

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

These things are cyclical. Yeah sales are down world wide.

But the desire to own these instruments never wanes.

Someone likes the vibe of the guitar and is in the position to buy it, it will sell.

Just not when you expect it to.

I have a 1970 335.
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Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

This fellow is THE expert of all vintage things ES-33x:
http://www.es-335.org/
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Joseph Horgen · From: California, USA

Those are absolutely STELLAR guitars. Those first reissues blow doors on what are being produced now. AND factory equipped with TIM SHAW
HUMBUCKERS !!
Killer Guitar - you should be able to get 4000-4500 from the right guy.

These are seriously sleeper instruments -

Good Luck !!

Joseph Horgen · From: California, USA

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Ebay is down in volume now that Reverb's rolling, but you can look at "completed sales" and "sold" by scrolling down the little listings on the left side.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

What David said.

LISTING prices are completely irrelevant. Only actually sales mean anything as far as the market goes.

The Vintage Price Guide low end for "excellent condition" (which few guitars are in) is $3,000; Around L.A. one of these RI's might bring $2500-2800 in a private party sale. Maybe a bit more if it's actually in excellent condition (read the grading criteria in the price guide for reference - vintage buyers are far more educated these days).

ANY modifications or parts changes will degrade the value.

FWIW it'd be a good idea to verify the year and check the markings on the backs of the pickups. While the 80's were generally considered a "dark" period for Gibson there were some bright spots - especially the reverse-engineered Tm Shaw designed humbuckers known as "Shaw PAF's". Knowledgable buyers will pay more for a guitar with "Shaws" than one with the usual high DC resistance, high-output humbuckers. The Shaws are very close in sound, clarity and string separation to the originals
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Hal Braun · From: Eustis, Florida, USA

PM sent

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