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1952 Gibson ES-150
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Factory order #: Z2163-25 in treble soundhole, "ES-150" stamped in bass soundhole.
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Materials: Arched slab-cut maple top, back, and sides; solid Honduras mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; polished aluminum nut.
Hardware: Original gold tall barrel tone and volume knobs, original nickel raised diamond trapeze tailpiece. Lollar P-90 single coil pickups, master volume and tone pots, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge, vintage correct 5-ply pickguard with toned bevel, Kluson Deluxe tuners with hand toned oval button keys.
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 showroom condition, with a figured slab-cut arched maple back, and all original Cremona sunburst finish remarkably free of, pick, buckle, or fingerboard wear. Some typical checking is evident, with some scattered age pitting on the headstock finish. Gibson's soundboard and back plates in this era are a fraction of the weight of later models, and at just 5lb. 15 oz. these guitars have surprisingly robust acoustic voices. The electronics have been upgraded for optimum performance and versatility, with a Lollar 50's-wind P-90 single coil pickup in the neck position, their standard P-90 at the bridge, master tone and volume controls with original tall barrel knobs, a polished aluminum nut, and a 3 way pickup selector switch.
The action is low and smooth with fresh vintage style fretwork, and a high-precision setup over the generous C profile neck, and the voice is pure '50s: from bop to rockabilly and back. Vintage tone, with modern performance, at a true player's price. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings (.012-.054). 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: Deluxe brown plush lined hardshell case.
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