Electric guitar

Date1968 ca.

Place MadeKalamazoo, Michigan, United States, North America

ModelES-355

Serial No.none

SignedLocated on peg head: Gibson.
Located on Tuning Pegs: GIBSON.
Located on tailpiece: Bigsby / PATENT / No. D-169,120.
MarkingsLocated on first fret: B. G.
Located below bridge and above tailpiece: [star] CUSTOM MADE [star].
DescriptionThin Series ("thinline") Gibson electric guitars were introduced in 1955 to revitalize the market for electric arch-top guitars, which, by that point, were competing for market share with solid-body electric instruments. The Thin Series had hollow bodies, but with a much more slender profile, reducing the bulk and weight associated with older electric arch-tops. When it appeared that the market would accept the Thin Series, Gibson further narrowed the ribs and installed a block of wood under the top, reducing the feedback problems that plagued hollow-body guitars. The semi-hollow ES-355TD was first introduced in 1958; the original production run was discontinued in 1982.

This Thin Series ES-355TD was custom-made to the specifications of Billy Grammer, a Grand Ole Opry star. It is made with a master volume knob, an armrest, a Bigsby tailpiece, a metallic blue finish, no sound holes, and BG inlaid behind the first fret. Grammer is also known for his namesake, the acoustic guitar company, Grammer Guitars, which he founded with the Gower family in Nashville.
DimensionsHeight: 52.5" (1172 mm)
Body Width: 16" (450 mm)
Fingerboard Length: 18" (455 mm)
Vibrating String Length: 24.5" (620 mm)
ProvenancePreviously owned by Billy Grammar, who used this guitar for more than 20 years. Purchased from Gruhn Guitars, Nashville, Tennessee, 1999.

Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 1999

Object number06762

On View

Not on view