Q: Why do almost all the vintage ES-335s with Bigsby vibratos have a little plaque behind the bridge that says "Custom Made"?

A: Most of the ES-335 tops beginning in 1958 were automatically drilled for the standard bridge and stop tailpiece. But at about that time, players began asking for Bigsby vibrato tailpieces. Not wanting to waste stock, the company placed a small black plastic tag across the open holes that was enscribed "Custom Made." There are examples of early 335s with pearloid inlays placed in the two holes, as well. By about 1964 or early 1965, the stop tailpiece was replaced with a trapeze tailpiece and the holes for the stop tailpieces stopped being drilled, so that these guitars did not require the Custom Made tag when a Bigsby was installed. It was not unusual, however, to still find 335s in music stores well into 1966 and Ô67 with the Custom Made plate and a Bigsby, as this was simply stock that had not already been sold. Such instruments have more recently been dubbed NOS for "New Old Stock" - instruments that are brand-new, but built in previous years.