1952 Gibson ES-5

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com
1950 Gibson ES-5
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments
currently available
is shown on our Instruments
page
here. If this instrument
does not appear on the
Instruments page
it has been sold, and is no longer
available. Photos and descriptions of
Previously Sold
instruments may be found here. To be notified of
examples of this
model or similar instruments in the
future, please contact info@archtop.com,. Please be
specific
on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and
we'll be happy to contact
you as soon as they become
available.

Serial #: A-5107, white oval label. Factory order #:

4657-11

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

Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .87/.92, 1st/10th frets

Materials: Highly flamed arched maple body; solid

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

Hardware: All original gold hardware includes

Kluson Super 'waffleback' tuners; triple parallelogram
trapeze tailpiece; triple P-90 pickups; beveled 5-ply
pickguard; 3/4" barrel volume and tone knobs;
compensated adjustable rosewood bridge.

Notes: Classic 50's tone. Spectacular flame. Elegant

modern playability. What's not to like?

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.

Maintained in gleaming condition, this handsome example is graced with highly flamed tiger maple of stunning
intensity, with all original hardware, electronics, and finish. The instrument features the traditional gold parallelogram

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

tailpiece, and the classic P-90 single coil pickups and controls in the original configuration, with independent volume
knobs 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.

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 has a comfy gentle C contour, full and solid in feel. The neck shows
the honest thumbwear of a long career, and apart from some buckle wear on the back, the lustrous sunburst finish is
otherwise notably free of pick and other playwear. With a handsome fingerboard of dark rosewood, the guitar has fine
pro fretwork with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. A special bonus is a copy of Gibson's original
five page typewritten instruction manual for operation of the volume and tone controls, included in the case.

A pioneering and versatile model, ready to play, right out of its original arched deluxe brown Gibson Lifton hardshell
case. One only: call now.

Setup: 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 4/64" to 5/64" 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.

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

Home / Instruments /Accessories

/
Ordering / Tips / Friends

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]
1952 Gibson ES-5

https://www.archtop.com/ac_50ES5.html[27/11/2020 10:09:27]