Gibson ES-5 Sunburst 1952 w/Hard Shell Case (owned by Steve Howe)

Vintage Gibson ES-5 from The Steve Howe Collection (owned by Steve Howe) in Sunburst finish made in 1952 with Hard Shell Case. This guitar features a double bound Semi-Hollow laminated flamed maple top with flamed maple back & sides, 3-piece flamed maple/walnut neck and bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Equipped with a set of the original Gibson P-90 Dogears in the neck, middle and bridge positions. Controlled by 3 volume pots and 1 master tone pot comprised of the original IRC pots. The 25.5" scale length neck has mother of pearl block inlays and tortoise side markers refretted with 20 vintage frets on a 12" radius with a medium C profile. The hardware is comprised of gold Kluson Waffleback tuning machines with keystone heads, a micarta nut, a rosewood adjustable-height bridge with compensated rosewood saddle & trapeze tailpece and amber speed knobs with a 5 ply black on white pickguard.

This guitar is in overall good condition. The body and headstock finish are heavily checked, but only seen in direct light. There are light picking marks on the pickguard and light surface scratches on the rest of the body. The frets were refretted with vintage style in its life. The master tone knob was replaced at some point but is the correct style. Side cracks on the treble side of the body have been repaired. (See pics)

It was previously owned by Steve Howe of Yes and includes a copy of the Steve Howe Collection.

Guitar is freshly setup and restrung with 10-46 strings. Includes Hard Shell Case.

Specs

• Brand: Gibson
• Model: ES-5
• Year: 1952
• Finish Type: Nitrocellulose
• Finish: Sunburst
• Country: The USA
• Serial: A12261
• Condition: Good
• Body Type: Semi-Hollow
• Body Wood: Flamed Maple Back & Sides
• Top Wood: Laminated Flamed Maple
• Body Binding: Multi-Ply Cream Double w/ Black & White Purfling
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Headstock: Bound
• Neck Joint: Set
• Neck Wood: 3-piece Maple/Walnut
• Neck Finish: Gloss Matching
• Neck Binding: Cream
• Finger Board: Brazilian Rosewood
• Neck Radius: 12"
• Neck Profile: Medium C
• Neck Thickness@ 1st Fret: .870"
• Neck Thickness@ 12th Fret: .965"
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Block
• Side Markers: Tortoise
• Nut: Micarta
• Nut Width: 1 5/8"
• Frets: 20 Vintage
• Pickup Config: SSS
• Neck Pickup: Gibson P-90 Dogear - DCR: 7.32k
• Middle Pickup: Gibson P-90 Dogear - DCR: 7.80k
• Bridge Pickup: Gibson P-90 Dogear - DCR: 7.21k
• Pot Arrangement: 3 Volume, 1 Master Tone
• Hardware: Gold
• Pickguard: 5 Ply Black on White
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Waffleback with Keystone heads
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Bridge: Gibson Rosewood Adjustable-Height w/ Rosewood Saddle & Trapeze Tailpece
• Knobs: Amber Speed
• Mod: Refretted & Nut Replacement
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Case: Hard Shell Case

Condition

Overall Condition: ★★★★ ·

Body Front: ★★★★ ·

Body Back: ★★★★ ·

Body Sides: ★★★✯ ·

Body Binding: ★★★★✯

Fret Board: ★★★★✯

Frets: ★★★★ ·

Neck Back: ★★★★ ·

Neck Binding: ★★★★ ·

Headstock Front: ★★★✯ ·

Headstock Back: ★★★★✯

Headstock Sides: ★★★★ ·

Hardware: ★★★★ ·

Pickups: ★★★★✯

Bridge: ★★★★✯

Knobs: ★★★★✯

Pickguard: ★★★★✯