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This genuine pre-war Gibson ES-150 has surely had an interesting life. There is no FON visible, as it appears to have been covered over when the color you see on the guitar now was being applied, but based on what I can tell of the guitar, I believe it to be from circa 1939.  

 

The most important thing is the guitar plays great and nails that Charlie Christian tone. However, I want to go over the modifications that this guitar has had. The body itself has the original carved spruce top and flat back.  Both show original bracing.  The body has been refinished with mahogany tint.  The hole for the orignal enpin jack has been filled and an output jack was added to the side in the usual position seen in later Gibson electric guitars.  The neck has also had some interesting modifications as well.  It has the original V-shaped neck carve which appears to have been softened somewhat.  The orignal fretboard was removed and what appears to be a genuine Gibson ES-175 fretboard (complete with typical pearloid inlays) was added with a layer of mahogany sandwiched in between. As a result, the neck is thicker than is typical for an all original 1930s ES-150.  The tuners were replaced with an old Grover made variation.  These tuners work, but are bit stiff and have some play in them.  I would probably replace them with more smoothly functioning modern tuners.  The bridge is later Gibson bridge, consistent with a 1960s version. The tailpiece is a modern reproduction. The pickup also shows modification, consistent with a later Gibson version, and having a gold-colored pickup rail.  It's not a modification, but there are also an old, stable appearing back crack (pictured),

 

The guitar plays great with all notes ringing out clearly.  The neck is best for those who like them chunky (see the dimensions below).  This guitar will fill the bill for someone looking for a pre-war ES-150, likes this neck, and doesn't mind or likes the modifications.

 

Weight - 5.4 pounds

Nut width - 1.71 inches

1st fret depth - 1.07 inches

9th fret depth - 1.15 inches

Scale length - 24.75 inches

 

The later, post-war Lifton case also appears to have had an interesting life as evidence by the wide array of stickers.  It still functions well.  The hinges work well. The latches function well, except for the locking one that doesn't really latch correctly.

 

Ships free in the United States and for reasonable rates worldwide.

SOLD - 1939 Gibson ES-150 Charlie Christian

$3,799.00Price
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