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c. 1948-9 Gibson ES-150

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Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Slab cut maple top, back, and sides; solid Honduras mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes adjustable P-90 pickup; nickel trapeze tailpiece; compensated rosewood bridge; beveled 5-ply pickguard, nickel-plated Kluson open back tuners, and clear gold barrel tone and volume knobs, adjustable truss rod.

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. With it's larger body and longer neck, the postwar ES-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. This brilliant example was built without a factory order number, but may be dated by construction details. The beveled 5 ply guard was introduced in late 1948, as were the adjustable polepieces in the P-90 pickup, and the dot fingerboard and tall clear gold barrel knobs were both discontinued by 1950. The 'Made in USA' stamp on the back of the peghead indicates that this guitar was made for export as well.

By it's uncannily pristine looks, if this guitar was exported, it must have been sent directly to the Twilight Zone. This babied guitar is in museum quality condition, with 100% original hardware and finish, without cracks, pick, buckle or thumbwear. Even the normal finish checking one expects in a guitar of this vintage is almost completely absent in the gleaming dark sunburst finish. The action is low and inviting, the P-90 pickup plays fat and sweet, and the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has fine original frets over a gentle C profile neck. This guitar is quite simply the single finest example of this model we have seen to date. If you've been looking for the cleanest one ever, look no further. Call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound 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: Original Geib arched brown alligator deluxe plushlined hardshell case.

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