The Gibson ES-295 was introduced in 1952 as a deluxe version of the ES-175, and most famously used by Scotty Moore and Danny Gatton. This model from 1953 is a great, player grade example of an early ES-295, equipped with a dual P90 pickups as opposed to the humbuckers seen from 1957 onwards. Constructed from a carved Maple top with Maple back and sides, the ES-295 was sold as a luxurious upgraded version of the ES-175, finished in all gold and featuring the same trapeze tailpiece found on early Les Paul model guitars. The neck has a typical early '50s profile, feeling full and very playable. The fingerboard features split parallelogram inlays, and a headstock with the Gibson crown peg head inlay.
This guitar is in good condition, and has sustained a number of changes throughout its life. Most notably, the guitar has been fully refinished, although we assume this was done some time ago as the guitar backlights as it should, and the clear coat shows some signs of yellowing and checking. There has also been a repair to the lower bout, with a newer piece of maple professionally patched in, with this repair almost invisible to the naked eye externally. This 'F' hole label on this guitar is badly damaged leaving the serial number unreadable, but the FON dates it to 1953.
The P90 pickups are correct for the period, although they have definitely been out of the guitar, presumably as part of the refinish process. The back screws on the P90 bass also appear to have been changed. The pots are also period correct for the '50s, as are the bumble bee caps, although the only readable pot code shows a date of 134 630, meaning they are non original to the guitar. The tuners are the correct gold single line, single ring Klusons. The control knobs are later reproductions. The tailpiece is '50s period correct, but appear to be the later variation seen on these models from 1956 onwards, with a separate acoustic style end pin as opposed to a strap button that fits within the base of the tailpiece found on earlier ES-295 examples. Most of the trapeze tailpieces on pre-1955 models appear to be the same 'Les Paul Model' engraved examples found on Les Pauls of the period. This guitar also includes its Brooklyn made, pink lined Stone hard case, which is also correct for the period.
This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 3 year warranty.
