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1949 Gibson ES-300

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Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .90/.99 1st/10th fret

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

Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes triple parallelogram trapeze tailpiece; adjustable P-90 pickups and electronics; compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; clear gold barrel tone and volume knobs, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners and aged black beveled 5-ply pickguard.

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 until 1948, after which the ES-300 was shipped 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 1949, it would have been one of the first built with the twin pickups, and one of the last fitted with the tall barrel knobs without numbers. In that model year, a mere 76 examples of the ES-300 were built in sunburst finish.

Crafted with bubble figure birdseye maple throughout, the guitar has been maintained in exceptionally fine condition. With its subtly shaded original Cremona sunburst finish, the instrument is free of cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from some typical lacquer checking, the instrument shows few signs of age altogether. The pickups and electronics are all original as well, with vintage correct nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners installed, as well as an aged black beveled 5-ply pickguard made from an original template.

The action is low and inviting, with a fresh high-precision setup over fine high pro fretwork on the solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, with a notably contemporary gentle C profile neck. The P-90 pickups are 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 brown Lifton hardshell case with pink plush lining.

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 brown Lifton hardshell case with pink plush lining.

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