The Gibson ES-Artist is a Norlin-era semi-hollow that sat at the top of the ES range. Introduced in 1979 and built only until the mid-80s, the ES-Artist was Gibson\u2019s high-end 335-style model with upscale appointments and Moog-designed active electronics. Steve Howe is the best-known user; he toured with several ES-Artists in the early \u201980s with Yes and Asia.<\/p>\n
This 1980 example is stamped \u201cSECOND\u201d on the back of the headstock. Gibson used this factory-second stamp for minor cosmetic flaws that still passed structural QC, so it does not indicate a major repair or defect. That fits with the overall condition here: standard playwear for a 45-year-old guitar, some checking and small marks, and lots of tarnish on the gold hardware, which is completely normal of course. The pickguard shows some minor “gassing”.<\/p>\n
The Moog active circuit has been removed, so the guitar now runs as a straightforward passive two-humbucker ES, which many players actually prefer. The mini switches are now a coil switch for each pickup and an out of phase switch. Under the sunburst finish there is a spruce front and back over the semi-hollow body, with a beautiful three-piece maple neck and ebony fingerboard with supercool offset dots. The original TP-6 fine tuning tailpiece has been changed to a standard stop tailpiece, which in our opinion looks a lot better on the guitar. The original low \u201cfretless wonder\u201d frets are still in place; they\u2019re low (obviously!) but play well. Weight is 3800g. Includes a newer, non-original hardshell case.<\/p>\n
Cool, uncommon ES from the experimental Norlin period, with the fancy Artist cosmetics but a simpler, gig-friendly passive setup.<\/p>\n
SPECIFICATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gibson ES-Artist is a Norlin-era semi-hollow that sat at the top of the ES range. Introduced in 1979 and built only until the mid-80s, the ES-Artist was Gibson\u2019s high-end 335-style model with upscale appointments and Moog-designed active electronics. Steve Howe is the best-known user; he toured with several ES-Artists in the early \u201980s with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":51222,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[206,217],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-51221","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-vintage","product_cat-elektrisk","brand-gibson","first","instock","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n