Kalamazoo

Gibson ES-295 Archtop Electric Double Gold, 1953

On January 7, 2023 /

This is a wonderful rarity. Built during 1953, this is an early Gibson ES-295 in good, clean and largely original condition, showing some honest finish wear and tear from real use over the decades. It’s easy to confuse the Gibson ES-295 with the classic ES-175, and there’s a good reason – they are the same guitar, but the ES-295 has a double gold finish and when introduced, two pickups instead of one.

Vintage

Gibson A-Jr. Model A-Style Mandolin Sheraton Brown, 1923

On January 4, 2023 /

This Gibson A-Jr. model A-Style mandolin in Sheraton Brown is now a century old, and still sounds great and plays well. This Gibson A-Jr. model A-Style mandolin in Sheraton Brown is now a century old, and still sounds great and plays well. The Gibson A-Jr. Mandolin, also known as the Gibson Junior, was the entry level for Gibson’s mandolin line from 1919 to 1927, when it became the A-0. Though classed as ‘entry level’, it was and is an excellent instrument.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson ES-150DC Double Cutaway Electric Archtop Natural, 1974

On January 3, 2023 /

Here’s a lovely rarity– an Gibson ES-150DC, a double cutaway, full depth hollow body electric archtop built as late as 1974 at the unionized Kalamazoo plant during the Norlin years. Drawing inspiration from the venerable ES-150 model – introduced in 1936 with the ‘Charlie Christian’ pickup and built until 1956 – the Gibson ES-150DC is unusual. In 1958, the all-new thinline, semi-hollow ES-335 and 345 were introduced and started the final decline of the popular full depth archtop.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson ES-350T Thinline Archtop Electric Wine Red, 1978

On January 3, 2023 /

The Gibson ES-350T (or ES-350TD to the early 1960s) is a thin-bodied, single cutaway fully hollow archtop electric built from 1955 to 1963 with a 23.5 inch scale length, and from 1977 to 1993 with a 25.5 inch scale. It started as the full-bodied, single-cutaway, 25.5 inch scale length single P-90 ES-350 Premiere in 1947. The ES-350 models were used by a number of top artists in the 1950s, most notably Chuck Berry. At introduction in 1955, the Gibson ES-350T shared several things with the also-new Byrdland, particularly the 23.5 inch scale length.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson Les Paul Signature Thinline Gold Top, 1973

On December 18, 2022 /

Introduced during 1973 and built until 1979 – the Norlin era – the Gibson Les Paul Signature Thinline Gold Top, is a rarity, and as a guitar has never been re-issued in any form. We have seen in-person one other example, during the 1980s, in The Twelfth Fret repair shop. Approximately 1,400 Gold Top models were built, and under 100 in Sunburst. It was also available as a bass. This model uses the construction of an ES-335, but its asymmetrical body has approximately the top half of a 335 and the bottom half of a Les Paul.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson Les Paul Custom Black, 1979

On December 4, 2022 /

Since its appearance in 1954, the Gibson Les Paul Custom has become a standard for class, elegance, playability and tone. Originally released in ‘Tuxedo’ dress – gloss black finish, white multi-layer binding and gold hardware – the Custom has over the years received sunburst, natural and other custom finishes.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Kalamazoo

Gibson ES-295 Archtop Electric Double Gold, 1953

Gibson A-Jr. Model A-Style Mandolin Sheraton Brown, 1923

Gibson ES-150DC Double Cutaway Electric Archtop Natural, 1974

Gibson ES-350T Thinline Archtop Electric Wine Red, 1978

Gibson Les Paul Signature Thinline Gold Top, 1973

Gibson Les Paul Custom Black, 1979

THE TWELFTH FRET

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