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c.1970 Gibson ES-150DCW

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Serial #: 916179, orange oval Kalamazoo label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Body depth: 3" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 18/32" Neck depth, 1st/12th frets: .83/.95

Materials: Three-piece maple neck; solid rosewood fingerboard; arched slab-cut maple laminate body; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound neck and back.

Hardware: 100% original chrome hardware includes twin Gibson Patent sticker 'T-Top' humbucking pickups, and electronics including master volume control; Kluson Gibson Deluxe double ring tuners; trapeze tailpiece with raised-parallelogram crossbar; compensated adjustable Tune-O-Matic bridge; beveled 5-ply pickguard; 3 way pickup selector switch.

Notes: Perhaps no Gibson electric guitar has undergone more permutations than the venerable ES-150. Introduced in late 1936 as a 16" non-cutaway full depth archtop, the 150 revolutionized the course of popular music as the first commercially successful electric guitar, and made famous by the pioneering soloist Charlie Christian. By 1947, the model had been upsized to a 17" body, and fitted with the new P-90 single coil pickup. Discontinued in 1956, the model languished until 1969, when it reappeared in a radically new incarnation.

Boasting twin humbucking pickups, the rechristened ES-150DC became the first full depth, fully hollow double cutaway archtop guitar Gibson had ever produced, and the only model so designed for almost half a century. Built in modest numbers, the 150 was finally dropped from the catalog in 1975, though a few examples eked out as late as 1979.

This eraly example would have been one of the very last to bear the 60's vintage pre-Norlin orange label, and has the desirable no-volute neck. Now well into it's fifth decade, it is in wonderful condition, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with all-original walnut finish and attractive slab cut figure in the arched maple body. With fine original medium jumbo frets and a sleek, fast D profile, this elegant neck is utterly effortless to play. The 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, the twin original Pat. sticker humbuckers are fat and sweet, and the 16" fully laminated body is comfy to hold, and offers enhanced feedback resistance.

The unique double cutaway body facilitates unimpeded access to the full 22 fret fingerboard, and the master volume control on the treble cutaway horn is a unique addition, exclusive among Gibson full-depth archtops to this day. Apart from a few wisps of finish checking and some incidental finish nicks, the instrument shows few signs of age otherwise, and remains fitted with its all its original bright chrome hardware, factory electronics, and deluxe black Gibson gold plush lined hardshell case.

A handsome and highly playable instrument in a distinguished lineage that spans a half century of hard-working guitars. 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.

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