Gibson ES-140 3/4 Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956)
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Item # 9115
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Gibson ES-140 3/4 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # V4974-7, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown tolex hard shell case.
The diminutive ES-140 is an extremely cool little Gibson and a surprisingly great-sounding guitar. The small 3/4 size ES-140 electric archtop was offered through much of the 1950s, described by Gibson as perfect for students, "ladies," or just guitarists desiring a compact fully hollow archtop. This one shows some signs of use but remains in nicely original condition.
Looking deceptively almost like a toy ES-175, the ES-140 is in fact a fully professional quality instrument with a great-feeling round profile neck, single P-90 pickup, and simple appointments. With a smaller body cavity, the tone is a bit brighter and snappier than the typical ES-175. This 1956 ES-140 -- one of 356 shipped that year -- plays beautifully and has an amazingly big honking tone for such a small instrument -- we think it sounds better than many full-sized archtops.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar shows some light playwear including light checking and small chips, scuffs and dings to the finish but is a very nice playing example. The Kluson Deluxe tuners are original with new buttons; all other hardware is original. There is an added strap button to the heel. This example has a good neck angle and has been refretted with slightly larger fret wire than the original making it a fine player. This is a super cool little Gibson; light, incredibly handy and great fun to play. The original brown HSC is included -- many of these ES-140s were sold in chipboard cases, so that is a nice bonus! Excellent Condition.
The diminutive ES-140 is an extremely cool little Gibson and a surprisingly great-sounding guitar. The small 3/4 size ES-140 electric archtop was offered through much of the 1950s, described by Gibson as perfect for students, "ladies," or just guitarists desiring a compact fully hollow archtop. This one shows some signs of use but remains in nicely original condition.
Looking deceptively almost like a toy ES-175, the ES-140 is in fact a fully professional quality instrument with a great-feeling round profile neck, single P-90 pickup, and simple appointments. With a smaller body cavity, the tone is a bit brighter and snappier than the typical ES-175. This 1956 ES-140 -- one of 356 shipped that year -- plays beautifully and has an amazingly big honking tone for such a small instrument -- we think it sounds better than many full-sized archtops.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar shows some light playwear including light checking and small chips, scuffs and dings to the finish but is a very nice playing example. The Kluson Deluxe tuners are original with new buttons; all other hardware is original. There is an added strap button to the heel. This example has a good neck angle and has been refretted with slightly larger fret wire than the original making it a fine player. This is a super cool little Gibson; light, incredibly handy and great fun to play. The original brown HSC is included -- many of these ES-140s were sold in chipboard cases, so that is a nice bonus! Excellent Condition.