1940 Gibson ES-150

Originally introduced in 1936, the Gibson ES-150 became legendary with its Charlie Christian pickup mounted in the neck position. In mid-1940, Gibson updated the model with the newly developed P-13 bridge pickup, distinguished by its metal cover and adjustable pole pieces. Due to wartime production changes, Gibson’s records from 1942 are incomplete, though it is known that small numbers of ES-150s continued to be built until 1943. Then the newer designed 17″ body was introduced. As a result, this is an exceptionally scarce and collectible example from Gibson’s golden era. We have a very special & very rare 1940 Gibson ES-150 in fabulous 100% original condition and in perfect working order. This golden age Gibson ES-150 features a single lead position, metal covered w/an adjustable pole piece pickup (1 pole piece is broken off & does not affect it), a fat V shaped 1 piece Honduran mahogany neck with full ‘40s neck carve & an unbound fingerboard and a 100% original Sunburst nitro lacquer finish. It’s sporting a set of very rare open back Kluson Deluxe tuners along with/its nickel trapeze tailpiece. Lastly its tortoise’gard is still intact as well as the coolest carved period wooden knobs w/pointer arrows that Gibson ever made. The fully hollow 16″ wide maple body has stunning figured maple back & sides & yields tremendous tonal complexity, characteristic of the note attack and clarity of maple, but also the smoothness and warmth attributable to the hollowbody construction. Its body date code appears to be “760F-14” & dates to 1940 production. The sound is bold and balanced acoustically, and the pickup yields plenty of glassy, percussive cut and sweet midrange bark. The Sunburst nitro lacquer finish presents extremely well, exhibiting definite play time & checking and 100% original with no touch-up or overspray. She’s excellent overall for a 86 year old & comes in its original Tweed/pink lined hard case.