One of the first popular electric guitars, the ES-150 was the culmination of years of small steps by Gibson towards the inevitable move by the big band jazz world from acoustic instruments to the much more capable “Electric Spanish Guitar", as it was known in the day. Gibson took an L-50, the budget 16” all solid archtop, and fitted it with electronics and a bound fretboard. Replacing the rather primitive piezo style pickups of the early 1930’s, 1935 saw the addition of the “bar pickup”, first introduced on the EH-150 lap steel, that quickly became associated with noted jazz performer Charlie Christian, with popular culture even going so far as to assign the pickup itself with the moniker “Charlie Christian Pickup”.

This example, from 1940, is possibly one of the last ES-150’s to feature the 16” body and CC pickup, as Gibson changed the design in early 1940 to feature a different pickup and a larger body.

All original minus a very good replacement guard, this beautiful old guitar features bakelite knobs on the volume and tone pot, with the interesting feature of historically being different colors: the volume was always brown, and the tone was always black.

The brazilian rosewood bridge is original, as are the tuners, tailpiece and electronics, and the original finish is in beautiful condition, color looking as good as the day it rolled off the factory line.

In good shape overall, with original frets, and a worn it but not damaged overall look. Some discoloration of the original plastic. Comes with the original tweed case, which as aged into a gorgeous amber color.