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1954 Gibson ES-140 Left Handed

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FON #: X-8793

Finish: original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 12 3/4". Scale length: 22 3/4" Nut Width: 1 9/16"

Materials: Solid mahogany neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; arched maple top and back; dot mother of pearl fingerboard inlay; bound top and back.

Hardware: All-original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece; original P-90 single coil pickup, electronics and amber bonnet knobs; original tortoise pickguard; original compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners.

Notes: It's little. It's lefty. And if you've ever seen another one, call collect.

Introduced in 1950, the Gibson ES-140 was unique in the marketplace: a full-depth, cutaway archtop guitar in a compact 3/4 body size. A scaled-down version of the ever-popular ES-175, the ES-140 offered big guitar performance for the player seeking a more petite body size, or just travelling light. This original full depth version was built only until 1957, after which the model continued as a thinline only. Lightweight and remarkably resonant, the 140 sits handily under the arm, and the fast scale length makes stretch chords and fast runs a breeze. The legendary P-90 pickup provides a clear, open tone unduplicated before or since.

This diminutive lefty is an extremely rare bird, quite possibly the only such example in existence. From the famnily of ghe original owner, the instrument has been maintained in exceptional condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, showing only a few random lacquer dents along the neck and a bit of finish wear at the back rim at the waist. The neck is slim and gently rounded in a C profile, playing effortlessly, with smooth low action over fine original medium frets. Tipping the scales at an astonishing 4lb 2oz., the guitar is complete with its original Gibson Lifton brown 'California Girl' hardshell case, honestly the cutest thing you've ever set eyes on. An exceedingly nimble companion, the ES-140 is truly the ultimate travel companion for the wandering lefty picker.

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 wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel wound 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: Original Gibson brown alligator hardshell case.

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