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1955 Gibson ES-140

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FON #: W3160-18

Finish: original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 12 3/4". Scale length: 22 3/4" Nut Width: 1 9/16"

Materials: Solid mahogany neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; arched maple top and back; dot mother of pearl fingerboard inlay; bound top and back.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece; original P-90 single coil pickup, electronics and amber bonnet knobs; original tortoise pickguard; original compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge. Vintage correct hand antiqued nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners.

Notes: Introduced in 1950, the Gibson ES-140 was unique in the marketplace: a full-depth, cutaway archtop guitar in a compact 3/4 body size. A scaled-down version of the ever-popular ES-175, the ES-140 offered big guitar performance for the player seeking a more petite body size, or just travelling light. This original full depth version was built only until 1957, after which the model continued as a thinline only. Lightweight and remarkably resonant, the 140 sits handily under the arm, and the fast scale length makes stretch chords and fast runs a breeze. The legendary P-90 pickup provides a clear, open tone unduplicated before or since.

This example has been maintained in wonderful condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and only light normal checking and a few random lacquer dents in the original deep sunburst finish. The neck is slim and gently rounded in a C profile, playing effortlessly, with smooth low action over fine original frets. Tipping the scales at an astonishing 3lb. 11oz. (1.96 kg), the guitar is complete with its original Gibson brown alligator hardshell case. An exceedingly nimble companion, the ES-140 is truly the ultimate vintage travel guitar.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top 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 wound strings (.013-.057). 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 Gibson brown alligator hardshell case.

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