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1952 Gibson ES-5

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Serial #: A-9913, white oval label. Factory order #: 8880-8

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

Finish: Original blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.

Materials: Highly flamed arched maple body; solid tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; L-5 style Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays and pointed finial; quintuple bound body with bound neck and headstock; solid bone nut.

Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes triple P-90 pickups; beveled 5-ply pickguard; trapeze tailpiece; 3/4" barrel volume and tone knobs; compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge; Kluson Super 'waffleback' tuners.

Notes: When it comes to tone, everyone loves the analog tone of the classic vintage tube amps. So why not a fully analog guitar?

Then as now, jazz guitarists of the postwar era spent a lot of effort perfecting their tone, which required mastering the intricacies of the newest instrument in the ensemble. Once their sound was dialed in, most players only slightly increased the volume, or brightened the tone, to transition from comping to a solo. To meet the needs of this evolving market, Gibson introduced the ES-5 in 1949, the first triple pickup guitar from a major manufacturer. The most versatile electric guitar Gibson ever produced, the ES-5 featured independent volume controls for each pickup, and a master tone control within easy reach, right at the cutaway horn. This innovative configuration allowed players to make the most subtle adjustments in tone smoothly, without the jarring sonic transitions of a pickup switch.

Preserved in immaculate, museum quality condition, this magnificent guitar is one of just 93 produced in natural finish in this model year. With 100% original finish, hardware and electronics, the guitar is free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and is graced with highly flamed tiger maple of stunning intensity. The instrument features the traditional gold parallelogram tailpiece, and the classic P-90 single coil pickups and electronics in the original configuration, with independent volume controls for each pickup, and the master tone control on the cutaway horn. Handsome original tall gold numbered speed knobs are in place, along with the original beveled 5-ply pickguard in gleaming condition.

As one might expect, the instrument offers an exceptional range of tonal colors, from rich warm mids and lows to a bright high register with lots of punch. The neck is a comfy full C, easy in the palm, with undented original frets in a handsome fingerboard of dark Brazilian rosewood, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. Complete with its original hang tag, this showroom quality instrument is the single finest example of this groundbreaking model we have seen to date. Amazingly, the pristine original brown Lifton hardshell case even contains the original five page typewritten instruction manual for operation of the volume and tone controls.

A pioneering model, and an amazing find, in time-capsule condition. One only: call now.

Case: Original deluxe brown Gibson Lifton arched plush lined hardshell case.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation strobe tuned; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished, pickups and polepieces balanced and tested.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.052). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at .070 to .080 at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for play with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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