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, although it has sustained one repair which has been particularly well done. There has been a fairly sizeable diagonal crack repair to the side of the guitar body on the bass side, reaching from the middle of the lower bout to the upper bout. While obviously visible, it is an excellent repair and perfectly stable, with only some small areas of clear lacquer applied to the repair, rather than a refinish to disguise it.
The P90 pickups are present correct, with the wiring loom appearing untouched, and the factory pots and 'Grey Tiger' capacitor functioning as they should be. The tuners are the correct gold single line, single ring Klusons. The pickguard, speed knobs and switch tip are correct and original to the guitar. The tailpiece is original and correct for the period, as opposed to the later variation with the separate acoustic style end pin, although much of the gold has rubbed away to nickel over time as is the case with most examples. This guitar also includes its original Cali Girl Lifton case. This guitar has also benefitted from a refret and a new bone nut.
This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 3 year warranty.
