Gibson ES-295 Sunburst Custom Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1953)
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Item #13694
Gibson ES-295 Sunburst Custom Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1953), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-14058, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body; mahogany neck with brazilian rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
Here is a really unique and *extremely* rare example of one of Gibson's classic 1950s archtops, the ES-295. This model was only offered in one stock finish: gleaming gold overall with cream-colored pickup covers and a unique floral decorated pickguard. THIS ES-295 is finished in a typical 1950s Gibson sunburst, less flashy perhaps but when mixed with the model's typical cream and gold fittings still giving a very striking look. We have examined the guitar closely and it shows no signs of being a later factory refinish (we had a 295 that was just recently) giving every indication of having been originally ordered this way. The (presumably original) owner had the name "Vic" added to the top below the tailpiece in professional sign painter's lettering, probably when it was new. Perhaps Vic thought the gold finish was a little garish but liked the other 295 features, so ordered this special take on the model. Generally, if you had a dollar and a dream (or in this case a bit over $300) your Gibson dealer would be happy to oblige!
In its usual gold-finished form the ES-295 been long recognized as one of the iconic guitars of the 1950s. It is equipped with double P-90 pickups under cream 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 and is fitted with Kluson Deluxe tuners.
This guitar carries a dark ambered sunburst in the top and back with dark-shaded sides typical of the early/mid '50s. It still features all gold-plated hardware including the adjustable patent pending "Les Paul" trapeze style bridge/tailpiece with the strings looping over a rolled steel bar, a defining element in its powerful tone. Other than this bridge, the ES-295 is essentially a flashier ES-175D featuring the same laminated maple body and mahogany neck of that model; visually this guitar is sort of a cross between the typical sunburst ES-175 and the cream-and-gold accented ES-295.
Gibson built 1,770 ES-295s between 1952 and 1958, but VERY few were finished in anything but gold, and only if a customer requested it. This particular guitar has a factory order number Z3093-30 indicating it was begun in 1952, but the serial number suggests it was not shipped until around June 1953, possibly delayed due to the non-stock finish order. In any case it is one of 637 sold in this, the model's single most popular year.
The ES-295 was famously the guitar played by Scotty Moore on Elvis Presley's iconic Sun records, and is often considered the ultimate Rockabilly guitar. The classic 1950s Ersel Hickey photo that epitomizes the Rockabilly aesthetic features him with his ES-295 and drape suit, the quintessential bopper. This special sunburst variation courtesy of "Vic" is still a "Cool Cat's" guitar, a super Gibson rarity 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This practically unique, great-looking and playing 295 has tons of vibe but not too much wear; Vic definitely played his namesake guitar back in the day but for the most part it was well cared for. It did suffer a typical "jack bash" with damage to the lower side from a fall causing the output jack area to crack; this has been solidly but visibly repaired and presents no functional issues.
Apart from this one spot "Vic" retains all original finish and hardware and the guitar actually looks relatively clean for a 70+ year old gigged instrument. The finish shows typical pretty uniform checking overall, and there are small dings and chips but no major worn-away areas. The back of the neck has a some feelable dings and chips along its length with a particularly deep one on the inner curve of the heel. No strap button was ever added; perhaps Vic played sitting down.
All hardware and fittings are original and intact. Some of the gold plating is worn in with a nice patina, there are some minor chips to the painted underside of the pickguard. The plating is worn completely off the top of the tailpiece and the upper tailpiece leg behind it. The guitar retains the original thin frets that have been crowned down a bit with some wear; the fingerboard has some noticeable divoting in the lower positions but the guitar is still fully playable. Apart from the jack area there are no other apparent repairs.
This custom sunburst finished ES-295 is a really cool Gibson rarity; not in the expected finish but still original and in its own way as flashy as always; great-sounding with a fantastic vibe as well. Thanks Vic! It includes what appears to be an original brown HSC (although not exactly the standard 1953 Gibson pattern) with a period store tag from Erie, PA (where the guitar spent its entire life) under the lid. Overall Excellent - Condition.
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Here is a really unique and *extremely* rare example of one of Gibson's classic 1950s archtops, the ES-295. This model was only offered in one stock finish: gleaming gold overall with cream-colored pickup covers and a unique floral decorated pickguard. THIS ES-295 is finished in a typical 1950s Gibson sunburst, less flashy perhaps but when mixed with the model's typical cream and gold fittings still giving a very striking look. We have examined the guitar closely and it shows no signs of being a later factory refinish (we had a 295 that was just recently) giving every indication of having been originally ordered this way. The (presumably original) owner had the name "Vic" added to the top below the tailpiece in professional sign painter's lettering, probably when it was new. Perhaps Vic thought the gold finish was a little garish but liked the other 295 features, so ordered this special take on the model. Generally, if you had a dollar and a dream (or in this case a bit over $300) your Gibson dealer would be happy to oblige!
In its usual gold-finished form the ES-295 been long recognized as one of the iconic guitars of the 1950s. It is equipped with double P-90 pickups under cream 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 and is fitted with Kluson Deluxe tuners.
This guitar carries a dark ambered sunburst in the top and back with dark-shaded sides typical of the early/mid '50s. It still features all gold-plated hardware including the adjustable patent pending "Les Paul" trapeze style bridge/tailpiece with the strings looping over a rolled steel bar, a defining element in its powerful tone. Other than this bridge, the ES-295 is essentially a flashier ES-175D featuring the same laminated maple body and mahogany neck of that model; visually this guitar is sort of a cross between the typical sunburst ES-175 and the cream-and-gold accented ES-295.
Gibson built 1,770 ES-295s between 1952 and 1958, but VERY few were finished in anything but gold, and only if a customer requested it. This particular guitar has a factory order number Z3093-30 indicating it was begun in 1952, but the serial number suggests it was not shipped until around June 1953, possibly delayed due to the non-stock finish order. In any case it is one of 637 sold in this, the model's single most popular year.
The ES-295 was famously the guitar played by Scotty Moore on Elvis Presley's iconic Sun records, and is often considered the ultimate Rockabilly guitar. The classic 1950s Ersel Hickey photo that epitomizes the Rockabilly aesthetic features him with his ES-295 and drape suit, the quintessential bopper. This special sunburst variation courtesy of "Vic" is still a "Cool Cat's" guitar, a super Gibson rarity 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This practically unique, great-looking and playing 295 has tons of vibe but not too much wear; Vic definitely played his namesake guitar back in the day but for the most part it was well cared for. It did suffer a typical "jack bash" with damage to the lower side from a fall causing the output jack area to crack; this has been solidly but visibly repaired and presents no functional issues.
Apart from this one spot "Vic" retains all original finish and hardware and the guitar actually looks relatively clean for a 70+ year old gigged instrument. The finish shows typical pretty uniform checking overall, and there are small dings and chips but no major worn-away areas. The back of the neck has a some feelable dings and chips along its length with a particularly deep one on the inner curve of the heel. No strap button was ever added; perhaps Vic played sitting down.
All hardware and fittings are original and intact. Some of the gold plating is worn in with a nice patina, there are some minor chips to the painted underside of the pickguard. The plating is worn completely off the top of the tailpiece and the upper tailpiece leg behind it. The guitar retains the original thin frets that have been crowned down a bit with some wear; the fingerboard has some noticeable divoting in the lower positions but the guitar is still fully playable. Apart from the jack area there are no other apparent repairs.
This custom sunburst finished ES-295 is a really cool Gibson rarity; not in the expected finish but still original and in its own way as flashy as always; great-sounding with a fantastic vibe as well. Thanks Vic! It includes what appears to be an original brown HSC (although not exactly the standard 1953 Gibson pattern) with a period store tag from Erie, PA (where the guitar spent its entire life) under the lid. Overall Excellent - Condition.
