Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
1937 Gibson ES-150
Status: SOLD For instruments now available, please visit our Instruments page here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments as they arrive, please contact joev@archtop.com. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Factory order #: C6
Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 9/16"
Materials: Solid carved spruce top; flat maple back; maple sides, solid one-piece mahogany neck, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, pearl script logo and fingerboard inlays; bound body.
Hardware: Original "Charlie Christian" style single coil pickup with notched blade under "B" string; original nickel trapeze tailpiece with raised diamond on crossbar and 1/4" tailpiece jack; original bound tortoise pickguard with bound notch for pickup; original adjustable ebony bridge base with compensated rosewood saddle; brown fluted bakelite control knobs; aged Grover-style nickel-plated Sta-Tite tuners with butterbean keys.
Notes: It's the first successful electric guitar, played by the first successful electric guitarist. Perhaps no other guitar in history is so closely identified with a single player than the Gibson ES-150, immortalized in the playing of the legendary Charlie Christian. Introduced in late 1936, the ES-150 changed the role of the guitarist forever, bringing the player out from the rhythm section and into the spotlight of the soloist. The hornlike sound of the single blade pickup was an instant hit, and remained favored by classic players like Barney Kessel and others to this day.
This example is in outstanding condition, and is from the first full year of production. The original single coil notched blade pickup is bright and powerful, with excellent balance, and a clear, brilliant tone. The original bound art deco pickguard is in superb shape, and the fluted control knobs in brown bakelite complete the streamlined look. The instrument shows no cracks, and only minimal playwear, with its gleaming sunburst finish protected with a light clear overspray. Particularly noteworthy is the innovative tailpiece jack, the first of its kind.
The neck is remarkably slim and fast, with a gentle "C" type profile, unlike the hard "V" common on prewar Gibsons. The frets are in excellent condition, and the action is smooth and low. A compensated bridge saddle has been added for precise intonation, and smooth 16X1 aged nickel prewar Grover style tuners restored to the headstock. An historic guitar in superb condition, this electric pioneer is tweaked up and ready for another solo flight.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.057). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Plush hardshell case.
Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
.