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1951 Gibson ES-150
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Factory order #: 8741-21 stamped on inside back, at treble soundhole.
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .88/.98
Materials: Arched slab-cut maple top, back, and sides; solid Honduras mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; polished aluminum nut.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes raised diamond trapeze tailpiece, original P-90 single coil pickup, and compensated adjustable rosewood bridge. Vintage Kluson Gibson Deluxe tuners, vintage correct aged 5-ply beveled pickguard, and 50's style aged gold numbered barrel tone and volume knobs.
Notes: Debuting in 1936, the ES-150 was the instrument Charlie Christian made famous: the first commercially successful electric guitar. Originally a 16" guitar, the ES-150 was upsized after the war to L-5 dimensions, with a 17" lower bout and the longer 25 1/2" scale. This noncutaway model assumed its final version in 1950, with the bound fingerboard and trapezoidal inlays.
With it's larger body and longer neck, the 150 is one of very few electric guitars that can hold its own both amplified and unplugged. Larger and more costly than the ES-125, the 17" ES-150 is also much scarcer, produced only between 1947 and 1956. (In the last year of production just 6 ES-150s were built, in contrast to some 1273 ES-175s and a whopping 3090 of the ES-125.)
This fine example has been maintained in gleaming condition, with a figured slab-cut arched maple back, with its original Cremona sunburst finish remarkably free of pick or buckle wear. The neck shows some smooth thumbwear, and the jack area has been soundly reinforced with a maple backing plate, with a bit of spot finish applied to the exterior there.
Gibson's soundboard and back plates in this era are a fraction of the weight of later models, and at a mere 5lb. 7 oz. this guitar has a surprisingly robust acoustic voice. The original P-90 pickup is clear, detailed, and faithful to the acoustic voice, with smooth modern audio taper volume and tone controls.
The action is low and even with fine pro fretwork, and a high-precision setup over the gentle C profile neck. The voice is pure '50s: from bop to rockabilly and back, with vintage tone and performance at a true player's price. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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: Original Lifton deluxe arched brown plush lined hardshell case.
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