Gibson ES-347 / 335 semi-hollow - Holes drilled in the center block

[tomassplatch]

Hello, I recently went to see this Gibson ES 347 from 1981 (Gibson ES 335 variant with splittable pick-ups and a TP-6 tailpiece). The guitar is nice and plays wonderfully, but the center block seems to be completely destroyed, as if someone drilled holes into it. In fact there is a big ugly hole in the centerblock that you can see from the bottom f-hole. Have you seen anything like this? Why would someone do this? Any ideas would be helpful...

[sgosnell]

The holes will make it slightly lighter. Not a lot, but a little. I don't think they will hurt the sound or strength of it. They're ugly if you look at them, but like sausage making, it's better not to look and just enjoy the result.

[Gitterbug]

Weird. And how on Earth have they been made to any depth?

[Marty Grass]

Someone must have loved that instrument. I note it is refretted.

The holes probably came from an angry ex.

[AllanAllen]

Someone trying to make it more resonant like a hollow body? People do dumb stuff.

[John A.]

Maybe they thought it would make it easier to thread wiring and change pickups?

To it maybe they used a flexible drill extension or an right angle drill of some kind.

[tomassplatch]

The holes don't make much sense from the point of view of the wiring. It seems that someone wanted to make the guitar lighter/more resonant? I don't have a clue...

[lammie200]

Looks like maybe they were dual purposing as a beehive.

[Marty Grass]

Maybe they thought it would make it easier to thread wiring and change pickups?

To it maybe they used a flexible drill extension or an right angle drill of some kind.

Not flexible enough. Look at the end of the fretboard. Now look at the angle of the holes. He probable used a long drill bit.

The guitar still could be a gem but not a collectible.

[pingu]

what does it sound like
accoustically ?

[John A.]

Not flexible enough. Look at the end of the fretboard. Now look at the angle of the holes. He probable used a long drill bit.

The guitar still could be a gem but not a collectible.

On second thoughts, I'm thinking termites.

[Jimmy Mack]

If it is a really good guitar, this is cause for a good price drop.

Maybe its playability is still up to par?

[tomassplatch]

what does it sound like
accoustically ?

Acoustically it is quite resonant. The top laminate wood is extraordinarily thin compared to other ES guitars from Gibson that I have seen.

[Jimmy Mack]

A thin top on a semi-hollow is a very good thing. I have several. All semi's should be thin!