Gibson es335 custom or copy?

[BoughtWithAPrice]

I just recently purchased this archtop hollowbody electric guitar body with an old Gibson neck. The seller claimed the neck was original to the guitar, but I doubt that. I am wondering If anyone can identify the guitar body as I can not find anything made by Gibson similar to it. The pickup and neck placement are most similar to the es335, but the small plate on the upper right bout is different. I am including a picture of the Body and neck, and also the parts (specifically the red switch plate)

Some new information:
-The guitar was originally red, but poorly refinished.
-The neck p/u was not original as somone cut through the bracing to install it! it is possible that it used to be an acoustic and was converted, but I doubt it.
-it has a laminate top


An info would be awesome!

Thanks...

E. Elwell

[mcgyvah]

this looks similar to body
http://www.mandoweb.com/88-2564.jpg

good luck with your search
Pete

[cheepaxes]

I think if anything is going to identify it, it'll be that tailpiece.

[frankpaush]

...not sure if you are still searching ...
some hints point to a copy status:
neck plate (Gibson used laminated necks for ES)
knobs (one of the 4 doesn't fit anyway, fender strat style), silver knobs like those are derived from copyland production areas

would be interesting to see detailed pics of
back side picks
tuner housings
poti serials
head front area (name ...)
neck back side (fingerboard to head area, head where there should/could be traces of a serial number ...)

is there a sustain block around the pickup holes starting from neck to body end?

[theehman]

[jedistar]