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c.1948 Gibson ES-300

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

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

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

Notes: Debuting in 1940, the ES-300 was Gibson's top-of-the line electric guitar. Originally sporting a huge 7" diagonally oriented pickup, the electronics were changed the following year to a smaller diagonal pickup in the bridge position. Revived in mid-1946, the ES-300 was fitted with a single P-90 pickup, which was built only until 1948, after which the ES-300 was refitted with twin pickups.

Examples from the postwar era bear neither label nor factory order number, but this instrument may be dated fairly closely by its unique combination of features. Built circa 1948, it would have been one of the first with the modern Gibson peghead logo and multi-ply beveled pickguard, and one of the last with open back Kluson Deluxe tuners, the first, short-lived version of the tulip key classics.

Crafted with bubble figure birdseye maple throughout, the guitar has been maintained in fine shape, with all original finish, hardware, and electronics. With its subtly shaded original Cremona sunburst finish, the instrument is free of cracks or pick wear, with lacquer checking most pronounced on the soundboard. Well maintained, the instrument shows some wear to the back of the neck, and a few small lacquer dings on the figured maple back. Even the area around the output jack is remarkably free of stress cracking.

The action is low and inviting, with a fresh high-precision setup over all-original fretwork on the solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, with a notably contemporary gentle C profile neck. The original P-90 pickup is clear and detailed, and the full depth, long scale 17" L-5 style body produces one of the finest acoustic voices to be found on any electric guitar. Finally, the guitar is supplied with its original prewar style striped aircraft tweed case, perhaps the most desirable version Gibson ever produced.

Rare, handsome and elegantly playable, this ES-300 is a classic Gibson big-box jazzer, with a warm, vibrant voice. One only: 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 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: Original deluxe Gibson arched striped tweed plushlined hardshell case.

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