Here is a magnificent and exceptional vintage Gibson ES-5, and compared to many other ES-5 seen and played either at vintage guitar shows or in reference gutiar stores, our 1951 Gibson ES-5 is a beauty. This guitar was obviously only played by very careful guitarists and I know very well its last two owners and collectors, two musicians of great talent namely Yves Staubitz and Christian Graf. The latter sold his ES-5 and then Yves purchased in the early 90s. The condition of this original instrument is truly excellent. Also, we know that only 88 Sunburst examples were produced in 1951. Talk about the rarity of this dream guitar…

Almost all original with the exception of these little chages : a small and discrete touched up, circa 2 to 3cm2 has been made on the top. The guitar has been refretted and the trapeze had a super discrete and very well made repair at the junction of the two parts. One tuner, the G, is genuine and period correct but comes from another set. Otherwise, only minor dents and playwear, the biggest flaw beeing a light varnish and the sunburst which have been polished by use on a small portion of the back of the neck. Very discreet, this wear is barely visible and imperceptible when you play it. Aside from one or two very small dings, these are the only scares this guitar has. The frets are perfect, high, without playwear. There are light and surface weather checks here and there on the body, but in the end, the condition is simply exceptional and absolutely perfect, rarely seen on instruments from the the 50’s.

Introduced in 1949, the ES-5 has a rosewood bridge and base and features P90 pickups. Unlike the ES-175, the laminated maple body is made from figured maple. The flames and patterns of the maple on our guitar are superb, quite deep and very regular. The gold finish of the hardware has only been slightly altered and remains perfectly golden. The tailpiece and mechanics are in perfect working order. The electronics are entirely original, the P90 pickups are in perfect condition, neither microphonic nor weak. The output level is excellent and everything sounds as you would imagine, very full, round, but with this very woody midrange accent. It’s Jazz in tone, certainly, but this instrument is known to have been used by very disparate and eclectic musicians, and the ES-5 is suitable for Jazz as well as Rockabilly and even Rock.

This instrument in exceptional condition and comes with its original pickguard and its original Lifton Brown case with pink interior, also in exceptional condition.