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1956 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster
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Serial #: A-24743, orange oval label
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"
Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Highly flamed arched maple body; solid tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; L-5 style Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays and pointed finial; quintuple bound body with bound neck and headstock; original solid bone nut.
Hardware: All original hardware includes triple P-90 pickups; beveled 5-ply pickguard; gold trapeze tailpiece; gold Kluson Super 'waffleback' tuners with single-ring tulip keys; adjustable compensated gold Tuneomatic bridge; gold bonnet volume and tone knobs; 4 way pickup selector switch. Additional top hat switchtip installed, original included in case.
Notes: It's always a pleasure when a highly collectible guitar is also a superb working instrument for the serious player. Introduced in 1949, the triple pickup ES-5 was the most versatile electric guitar Gibson ever produced. In late 1955, the guitar was renamed the Switchmaster, fitted with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup and a unique 4 way selector switch. This guitar is from the last full year for the traditional parallelogram tailpiece, and the classic P-90 single coil pickups, beloved by veteran players for their peerless fidelity.
The instrument is in magnificent original condition, meticulously maintained in a fine private collection for decades. With it's original tobacco sunburst finish notably free of finish checking, the instrument is without pick, thumb, buckle or fingerboard wear. The original frets are high and ungrooved, and sit in in a handsome fingerboard of coffee colored Brazilian rosewood.
Both body and neck are crisscrossed with lush flame maple throughout. As one might expect, the instrument offers a notable range of tone, from rich warm mids and lows to a bright high register with lots of punch. The neck is comfy, not clubby, and sits easily in the palm. And amazingly, the guitar comes complete with its original Gibson factory hang tag, and Tuneomatic bridge adjustment instructions, all tucked into its original deluxe brown Gibson hardshell case.
A whole lot of guitar, and one of the very finest examples of this model we have ever had the pleasure to offer. One only: call now.
Case: Original deluxe arched brown Gibson hardshell case.
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