Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com

1936 Gibson ES-150

Status: For pricing and hold status for this instrument, please check our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please contact [email protected].

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth 1st/10th frets: .94/1.04

FON: 1137B-6

Materials: Solid carved spruce top; solid maple back and sides, solid one-piece mahogany neck, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, pearl script logo and fingerboard inlays; bound body.

Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes single blade 'Charlie Christian' adjustable single coil pickup, trapeze jack-well tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, oval Grover open back tuners, bakelite arrow volume knobs, and original bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: For the first decade of the Big Band era, orchestra guitarists chopped chords quietly in the rhythm section. This guitar changed that overnight.

Announced late in 1936, Gibson's groundbreaking ES-150 ("Electric Spanish') model was Gibson's first 6 string guitar to be fitted with a magnetic pickup, and almost instantly became the world's first commercially successful electric guitar. Quickly championed by pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, the ES-150 became indelibly identified with the artist, who almost single-handedly invented modern solo jazz guitar. The 150 has been known to players as the "Charlie Christian model" ever since (despite the fact that the manufacturer never referred to it as such.) With its massive bar magnet and smooth hornlike tone, the ES-150 pickup captivated an entire generation of formative jazz plectrists, including Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney and legions of others.

This fine example is from the very first year of production, and is one of just 23 made in that debut year. Maintained in fine original condition, with all-solid construction, including the carved spruce top and flat maple back. In addition to the single coil pickup, the original nickel hardware includes the trapeze jack-well tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, oval Grover open back tuners, bakelite arrow volume knobs, and original pickguard.

The single blade adjustable single coil pickup is of the earliest design, and is complete with the original wiring harness, volume pot and Mallory barrel capacitor, with only the tone pot replaced. The dark Cremona sunburst finish is all original, with some pickwear near the pickup, some scattered finish nicks, and a bit of honest thumbwear on the neck. The neck has the classic prewar Gibson "V" profile, the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is dead level with fine pro fretwork, and is ready to play with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup.

The tone is like time travel itself, clear and sparkling in the unimpeded highs, and warm and growly when rolled off through an old tube amp. archtop.com is proud to bring this wonderful old work horse back to the stable for a splendid new career. One only: call now

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut 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 roundwound 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: Deluxe black Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case.

.