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Serial #: 408447, orange 'Union Made' label. Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 19/32" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .79/.95

Materials: Solid one piece mahogany neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; arched slab-cut maple top, sides and back; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back.

Hardware: 100% original hardware, including Gibson 'Charlie Christian' prewar style single coil blade pickup; nickel Kluson Deluxe double ring tuners; chrome trapeze tailpiece with raised-parallelogram crossbar; compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; beveled 5-ply pickguard; gold reflector cap knobs.

Notes: Announced late in 1936, Gibson's groundbreaking ES-150 ('Electric Spanish') model was their first 6 string guitar to be fitted with a magnetic pickup, becoming instantly the world's first commercially successful electric guitar. Quickly championed by pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, its innovative blade type single coil pickup became indelibly identified with the artist, who almost single-handedly invented modern solo jazz guitar. With its massive bar magnets and smooth hornlike tone, the "Charlie Christian" pickup captivated an entire generation of formative jazz plectrists, including Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney and legions of others.

Though formally discontinued by 1940, this coveted pickup did remain available by special order from Gibson, who released a tiny handful of custom guitars over the years fitted with the original prewar style electronics. (Perhaps the best known example is Barney Kessel's ES-350, which he had specially fitted to recreate the tone of his own guitar idol.)

This rare custom guitar has been maintained in gleaming condition, free of pick, buckle, or thumbwear, with a lustrous original sunburst lacquer finish over a handsome slab-cut arched maple body. Not to be confused with the 175 CC reissues of the late 70's, the pickup is in the original prewar style, with the twin cobalt bar magnets, and the correct vintage impedance, measured at 2.69K. The blade is notched under the 'B' string for improved string balance, in the manner of the second generation bar pickup, introduced in 1938. And the tone is true vintage, clear and detailed, with its distinctive warm timbre when pushed through light tube overdrive.

At barely over 6lb, the instrument is notably light in weight and well balanced, on the lap or the strap. All binding is original and tight to the body, and the instrument retains excellent neck angle and bridge height. All hardware is original as well, including pickguard and knobs, and the typical mix of nickel and chrome parts common to this era. The neck is particularly slim and elegant, ideal for the electric player unwilling to wrestle with the bulky neck profiles of earlier decades. The original medium jumbo frets remain in excellent condition, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. The 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, and the 16" laminate body is easy to cradle and substantially resistant to feedback. A short hairline crack near the peghead was soundly resealed decades ago, and this striking instrument shows no other repairs of any kind.

For the player looking for true prewar tone, with the enhanced range of a modern cutaway, this rarest of birds offers the perfect blend. 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 Gibson deluxe arched black hardshell case with gold plush lining.

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