GIBSON ES-5, 1953-54 |
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sunburst. One of the most sought-after
models in vintage world: this early version of the ES-5
with its three P-90s controlled by three volume knobs and
a single master tone control, was the choice of legendary
bluesmen like Eddie Taylor, Lowell Fulson and most of all
T-Bone Walker. Body has exactly the same dimentions as
the L-5 CES, but it’s made of laminated maple; maple neck, rosewood
fretboard. For many more details about the
model’s history, please see our Collection (where
you’ll see also one of the 12 prototypes made by Gibson). The guitar you see here has a ‘53 Factory
Order Number and a 1954 serial number on its white oval
label inside; it is completely original. It has bound
f-holes and tune-o-matic bridge, in its very first version, introduced just one or two years
earlier. An
interesting feature is the headstock thickness, which is
not uniform but narrows toward the top: this makes me
think that the guitar left the factory equipped with a
circa-1950-made neck. No further comments about the
beauty of the highly flamed woods: it’s a real jewel. Excellent
conditions, finish has checking but no
major dings or scratches on the body, except for one on
the lower side of the rims, and the only part that shows
a lot of playing wear is the back of the neck. There is a
little touch-up where a strap button has been removed
from the neck heel, but besides these details the guitar
is really in outstanding conditions. This axe has been
regularly played through these 50 years. It’s very
easy to play, you just have to get familiar with the
four-knobs system, but once you do, you’ll have at
your fingertips some of the most classic voices in blues
& jazz guitar: from he sweetness of the neck pickup,
to the pure Texas-Style out-of-phase sounds of the three
pickups combination, to the sharp attack of the bridge
P90. Original Lifton hardshell case, "built like
a fortress". Ain’t that enough? |