Gibson ES Series

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The Gibson ES series of semi-acoustic guitars (hollow body electric guitars) are manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Contents

The letters ES stand for Electric Spanish, to distinguish them from Hawaiian-style lap steel guitars which are played flat on the lap. Many of the original numbers referred to the price, in dollars, of the model. Suffixes in the names indicate additional appointments, for example "T" means "thinline" (a thinner profile than most) while "D" means "double pickup". Many of the models come with f-holes, though some, such as B.B. King's signature Lucille series, are made without f-holes. Some models are full-bodied models, while single- and double-cutaways are also available. Two different styles of cutaways are used, both named by Gibson after Italian cities. Florentine models had a sharper, more pointed end on the cutaway, while more rounded and contoured cutaways were called Venetian style. [1]

Numerous signature models of the ES series exist, as well as some later hybrid models such as the "ES-Les Paul" that combines features of a Gibson Les Paul with those of the ES series.

ES Series guitars were built at Gibson's Memphis, Tennessee factory from 2000 until 2019. [2] After Gibson's change of ownership in 2019, the Memphis factory was closed and production was moved back to Nashville, Tennessee.

Models

ES models

ES signature models

ES-333 signature
ES-335 signature
  • DG-335 (2007–?) Dave Grohl model based on Trini Lopez.
  • Trini Lopez (1964–1971) Trini Lopez two versions: one based on ES-335, other similar to Kessel model with diamond-shaped sound holes and a single-side headstock.
  • Chris Cornell (2013–) First edition released in 2013 with a limited edition run of 250 released in 2019 - green Olive Drab finish with Jason Lollar Gretsch Filtertron style Lollartron pickups, Bigsby vibrato, and Cornell's signature inlaid on the headstock [11]
ES-355 derivative signature
ES-330/ES-336 derivative signature
  • Johnny A. (2004–) ES-336 sized fully-hollow thinline body with sharp double cutaways that resemble the Barney Kessel model with three variants (all models have '57 Classic humbuckers and 25.5" scale unless otherwise noted): [12]
    • Signature with Bigsby vibrato
    • Standard with Bigsby vibrato, which has less cosmetic appointments compared to the Signature, nickel instead of gold hardware, and a rosewood fretboard instead of ebony [13]
    • Spruce Top, with a spruce top instead of maple and a stopbar tailpiece instead of a Bigsby vibrato, rosewood fretboard, and Alnico III CustomBuckers instead of '57 Classics [14]

Derived models

Origin models

Note: in the 1920s, L-4 and L-5 were once electrified by Lloyd Loar, but halted by his end of contract in 1924. [27]
  • L-4   (1911–) The bass model of ES-175 and its derivatives.
  • L-5   (1922–) The bass model of ES-5, Byrdland, ES-350T, possibly ES-225, and these derivatives.
  • L-50 (1934–) The base model of the first Electro Spanish model, ES-150. [28]
  • The Log (1940) A forerunner of the later center-block semi-hollow models, ES-335/345/355.
  • EDS–1275 Double 12 (1958–) Doubleneck, hollow-body (1958–1962) or SG-shaped solid-body (1962-) guitar with 12 and 6 string guitar necks. [29]
    Other doubleneck models include:
    • EMS–1235 Double Mandolin (mandolin [29] or short neck guitar [30] & normal guitar, hollow-body (1958–1962) or solid-body (1962-))
    • EBSF–1250 Double Bass (4 string bass & guitar, built-in fuzz effect) [31]
    • EBS–1250 Double Bass (6 string bass & guitar) [29] [31]
    • EDS–1250 (6 string bass & 4 string bass)
  • Barney Kessel (1961–1974) Barney Kessel model. 3" deep, double florentine cutaway hollow-body (Two versions, Regular and Custom).
  • Johnny Smith  (1961–c. 1989) Later renamed as Gibson LeGrande .
    • Solid Formed (2015) - new style archtop using 1/2 the wood by bending it instead of traditional carving. 17" full hollowbody with a venetian cutaway and floating Johnny Smith style humbucker.
  • Blueshawk (1996–2006)

This section provides the photographs of the above mentioned models, to easily identify and grasp each one at a glance.

ES models (with signatures and derivations)

Tree chart

origins
/1930s
 
L-50 L-4 Les Paul L-5 L-5 CES (The Log)
ES-150
ES-100 ES-250
( ver.2 ) ES-125 ES-300
( postwar )
ES-175 ES-5 ES-350
ES-130 ES-140 3⁄4 ES-295
ES-135 ES-125T ES-5 SM Byrdland ES-350T ES-225T
ES-140 3⁄4T ES-330TD ES-335 ES-345 ES-355
ES-120T
Trini Lopez
ES-150DC ES-340TD
ES-175T Les Paul Signature ES-320
ES-325
ES-347
CRS/CRR ES Artist Lucille
Dot Pro
ES-369
ES-135 ES-165 ES-775 ES-336
Les Paul Florentine
ES-137 ES-333 CS-336 CS-356
Tom DeLonge ES-339 ES-359
ES-Les Paul
origins
/1930s
 

1940s
 
1940s
 

1950s
 
1950s
 

1960s
 
1960s
 

1970s
 
1970s
 

1980s
 
1980s
 

1990s
 
1990s
 

2000s
 
2000s
 

2010s
 
2010s
 

2020s [34]
 
2020s
 

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson ES-335</span> Semi-hollow electric guitar

The Gibson ES-335 is a semi-hollow body semi-acoustic guitar introduced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958. It features a solid maple wood block running through the center of its body with upper bouts that are hollow and two violin-style f-holes cut into the top over the hollow chambers. Since its release, Gibson has released numerous variations of and other models based on the design of the ES-335.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson ES-125</span>

The Gibson ES-125 is an archtop, hollow body electric guitar model that was produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson ES-175</span> Hollow body guitar by Gibson, 1949 to 2019

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson ES-355</span> Guitar produced by Gibson, 1958 to 1982

The Gibson ES-355 is the top of the line semi-hollow body thinline guitar from the Gibson Guitar Company. The guitar was a stereo guitar with a varitone circuit and it was manufactured from 1958 to 1982. In 2018 Gibson began producing a version of the 355 again.

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The Gibson EB-2 is an electric bass guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation from 1958 to 1972, with a hiatus from 1962 to 1963. When production ceased in 1972, a total of 8017 instruments had been built, with 2102 of them being EB-2Ds. Willie Moseley, in Vintage Guitar, referred to the bass guitar as possibly "Gibson's biggest bass invention", although it was not a great commercial success, and the Epiphone Rivoli branded version of the model may have sold more copies than the Gibson branded one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson ES-350T</span>

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References

Bibliography
Citations
  1. ↑ Leonard, Michael. "A Guitar Geek's Guide to Gibson ES Models". Gibson.com. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ Dirks, Rebecca; Egolf, James (July 11, 2007). "A Modern History of the Gibson Custom Shop". www.premierguitar.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Gibson Electro Spanish–150, Prototype Batch 1058-9 B (1936)", exhibition label, Museum of Making Music, April 22, 2012, The body was basically that of the acoustic Gibson L-50.
  4. ↑ Dave, Rogers; Laun, Braithwaite; Tim, Mullally (December 14, 2017). "Vintage Vault: 1950 Gibson ES-300". Premier Guitar .{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ↑ "Gibson Es 320 TD ( 1971–1974 )", Vintage Gibson Guitars
  6. ↑ "Gibson Es 340 TD Archtop (1968–1973)", Vintage Gibson Guitars
  7. ↑ Gibson Custom ES-359, Gibson Guitar Corporation (2008), archived from the original on February 19, 2009, retrieved May 2, 2012
  8. ↑ "Gibson ES 369: TONE to the BONE", Best Guitars World
  9. ↑ The Active Sound Of The 80s (advertisement), Gibson Guitar Corporation (1979)
    An advertisement in 1979 for Artist series: "RD Artist Active" released around 1977, and two new models added in 1979, "ES Artist Active" and "Les Paul Artist Active".
  10. ↑ "ES Artist", 1980 Gibson guitar, bass and banjo catalogue, Gibson Guitar Corporation (1980), p. 33
  11. ↑ Bienstock, Richard (August 28, 2019). "Gibson officially releases Limited-Edition Chris Cornell Tribute ES-335". guitarworld. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Gibson Custom Johnny A Signature".
  13. ↑ "Johnny A Standard". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Gibson Johnny A Spruce Top".
  15. ↑ Gibson USA Les Paul Florentine with Bigsby, Gibson Guitar Corporation (2009)
  16. ↑ "Gibson Memphis ES-Les Paul 2015". Gibson Guitar Corporation (2015).
  17. ↑ 1975 Les Paul catalogue, Gibson Guitar Corporation (1975), p. 5
  18. ↑ Is it a 335 or a Les Paul? | 2012 Gibson Midtown Custom Cherry Sunburst | Review + Demo , retrieved October 31, 2020
  19. ↑ "Gibson Midtown Standard".
  20. ↑ "Gibson Midtown Standard P-90 | Reverb". reverb.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  21. ↑ Marten, Neville (March 14, 2012). "Gibson Midtown Custom review". MusicRadar. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  22. ↑ "The Byrdland Brother". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Gibson Midtown Signature Bass".
  24. ↑ Moseley, Willie G. (January 2012). "The Gibson EB–2: Kalamazoo Biggest Bass Innovation?". Vintage Guitar . p. 60.
  25. ↑ Moseley, Willie G. (January 2014). "Danelectro's Four-String Basses". Classic Instruments. Vintage Guitar . Danelectro's first bass [UB–2] (VG, January '09), debuted in 1956, and it was a true bass guitar, supporting six strings but with a short bass scale, tuned down an octave. The instrument was the first of its kind, preceding the Gibson EB-6 (first listed in '59) and Fender's Bass VI (late '61). Danelectro #3412, #4423 & UB–2 image
  26. ↑ Duchossoir 1998 , p.  195: "EB-6 : At the end of 1961 the thinline EB-6 was discontinued and replaced by a solid body version built with the ultra thin SG body style. This did not improve the popularity of the 6-string bass (a.k.a. baritone guitar) and the model was eventually phased out in 1965. ... Only 66 solid body EB-6s were shipped between 1962 and 1965, including a very small number of single pickup versions (probably no more than a dozen)."
  27. ↑ Duchossoir 1998 , p.  9 -12, The Development of Electrics up to the mid-60s - Introduction: "Lloyd A. LOAR (1886-1943) ... On top of his contribution to some of Gibson's finest stringed acoustic instruments ever made, Loar designed experimental electrics during his 5-year stint with the Company. / [p.10 photographs] 16-inch L-5 from 1929 (#88258) equipped with an electro-static pickup glued under the soundboard. The close-up below shows the jack input located in the tailpiece base. [courtesy Chinery Collection/photo John Sprung] / [p.11 photograph] This late 20s L-4 fitted with an electro-static pickup is certainly the very first electric Spanish guitar produced by Gibson with a view to a possible commercialisation. [courtesy Jullius Bellson]".
  28. ↑ Duchossoir 1998 , p.  15 , Chapter One The First Production Electrics 1935 - 1939: "In mid-1936, Gibson announced the commercialisation of its first electric Spanish guitar called the ES-150, with the following slogan: ‘Another guitar miracle by Gibson - a true, undistorted tone amplified by electricity’. For all practical purposes, the ES-150 was essentially a 16-inch L-50 arch-top acoustic fitted with a bar pickup and a reinforced top to support it. ... / Some may wonder why Gibson chose then to electrify first a mid-range model like the L-50 rather than a more senior instrument like, say, the L-5. The answer is probably two-fold. First, the company assumed that an electric guitar need not have superior acoustic properties to be efficient. ... But it can also be argued that Gibson was perhaps reluctant to tarnish its reputation for superior craftsmanship by cannibalising its higher grade models. Back in 1936 the electric guitar was seen as a potentially attractive new segment among fretted instruments, but it was not yet an established product."
  29. 1 2 3 1963 Gibson Guitar and Bass catalog, Gibson Guitar Corporation (1963), p. 15
  30. ↑ 1960 Gibson Guitar and Bass catalog, Gibson Guitar Corporation (1960), p. 17
  31. 1 2 "Elvis' 1965 Gibson EBS–1250 Double Bass", Scotty Moore Official Website— comparing the 1962/1963 & 1964 EBSF–1250 (4 string bass + guitar + fuzztone), 1964 EBS–1250 (4 string bass + guitar), and Elvis' 1965 EBS–1250 (6 string bass + guitar)
  32. ↑ Holder, Mitch (January 2006), The Jazz Guitar Stylings of Howard Roberts, Mel Bay Publications (2006), p.  100, ISBN   9780786674091
  33. ↑ "Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman". uniqueguitar.blogspot.com. April 18, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Explore the ES". Gibson.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
    As of November 2022, the existence of models ES-350T/330/335/339/345/355/Lucile/Trini Lopez, could be verified on Gibson.com.
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