Gibson ES-295 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-22676, gold lacquer finish, laminated maple body; mahogany neck with brazilian rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
This is a nicely original and great-sounding example of one of Gibson's flashiest archtops, the ES-295, played in but cleaner and more original than many. Finished overall in gleaming gold overall with a cream-colored floral decorated pickguard, the 295 has been long recognized as one of the most iconic guitars of the 1950s. The model is equipped with double P-90 pickups under white plastic "dog ear" covers and the classic four-knob tone/volume control array with amber "hatbox" knobs and switch tip. The top is triple-bound; the back and fingerboard are single-bound. The 19 fret rosewood fingerboard has double parallelogram inlays; the headstock has a pearl crown and "Gibson" inlay.
The guitar features all gold-plated hardware including the adjustable patent pending "Les Paul" trapeze style bridge/tailpiece with the strings looping over, a defining element in its powerful tone. Other than this bridge unit, the ES-295 is essentially a flashier ES-175D featuring the same laminated maple body and mahogany neck of that model with the eye-catching finish of an all gold Les Paul.
Gibson built 1,770 ES-295s between 1952 and 1958, and they remain one of the company's most recognizable 1950s classics. This particular guitar was built in 1955 and shipped in April 1956, one of only 193 sold that year. By this point the model was in decline sales-wise, its commercial peak pre-dating the 1950s rock and roll explosion it has come to symbolize. The ES-295 was famously the guitar played by Scotty Moore on Elvis Presley's iconic Sun records, so is often considered the ultimate Rockabilly guitar. The classic 1950s Ersel Hickey photo that epitomizes the Rockabilly aesthetic features him with an ES-295 and drape suit, the quintessential image of a real-gone bopper. The all-gold showboat ranks alongside the Gretsch 6120 as the quintessential "Cool Cat's" guitar and a great-playing/sounding instrument to boot!
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a great-looking and playing 295 with tons of vibe; played but not abused. It retains all original finish and hardware and is relatively clean for one of these all-gold guitars. There is noticeable checking overall and the top shows scuffing near the bridge and one deeper dink by the switch. The top is completely free of the typical "greening" in the armwear area. The lower side has the most scratching and scuffing.
The back of the neck has more wear as is very typical for this model -- the gold lacquer generally reacts to the player's hand over time, turning greenish and flaking off, so many are in this state. There is fairly heavy checking and some old flaking it remains comfortable to play, and more intact than many. A lot of these have had the necks sanded or refinished, this one has escaped that fate. The back of the headstick has heavy checking with some minor flaking as well.
The gold plating is mostly well-worn with a nice patina, with the most loss on the top of the bridge. The guitar has been refretted with wire somewhat larger than the thin 1950s Gibson standard but not out of character for the guitar. There are no other repairs or alterations except a period strap button added to the heel, with a correct gold-plated screw. This is an excellent gigging 295; superbly playable of course flashy as always -- and just a great-sounding 1950s Gibson with a fantastic vibe as well. Includes a the original brown HSC Overall Excellent - Condition.
