Gibson ES-150 1950

The Gibson ES-150 is one of the key early electric archtops and a direct link to the first serious years of amplified jazz guitar. Introduced in the 1930s, the model became closely associated with Charlie Christian, whose work with Benny Goodman helped establish the electric guitar as a lead instrument.

By 1950, the ES-150 had moved on from the earlier Charlie Christian pickup format and into Gibson’s P90 era, while keeping the full-depth, non-cutaway archtop body that made the model a strong acoustic-electric jazz guitar.

This awesome 1950 example is mostly original. The tuners have been replaced, and the pickup, which appears to be the original P90 has had a new cover at some point. Given the age of the guitar and the very early stage plastic was in at the time, this is not unusual. There is a repaired crack in the back, it is stable but is clearly visible. It has no impact on the guitar otherwise.

The original frets are low but still very playable, and the guitar plays well with no functional issues. No case or bag is included. Absolutely fabulous early Gibson electric with the right look, wear, and history!

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Gibson ES-150
Year: 1950
Made in: USA
Body type: Full-depth hollowbody archtop
Body shape: Non-cutaway single-pickup archtop
Top: Arched spruce
Back and sides: Maple
Neck: Mahogany
Neck joint: Set neck
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard inlays: Pearloid trapezoids
Fingerboard binding: Single-ply cream
Scale length: 629 mm
Nut width: Approx. 43 mm
Pickup: P90 with replaced cover in neck position
Controls: Volume and tone
Bridge: Adjustable rosewood bridge
Tailpiece: Nickel trapeze tailpiece
Tuners: Replaced three-on-a-side tuners
Hardware: Nickel
Pickguard: Black elevated pickguard with binding
Finish: Sunburst
Frets: Original low fretwire