Gibson ES-295

Gibson ES-295
Gibson ES-295 at Sun Studio
ManufacturerGibson Brands
Period1952-1959
Construction
Body typeHollow body
Scale24.75"
Woods
BodyMaple
NeckMahogany
FretboardRosewood
Hardware
BridgeLes Paul combination bridge/tailpiece
Pickup(s)P-90s
Colors available
Sunburst, Cherry and Natural

The Gibson ES-295 (1952–1959) is a hollow body guitar which was built by the Gibson Guitar Company. The ES-295 was introduced in May 1952 as a fancier version of the ES-175. The 295 had the same measurements as the ES-175, but it came in gold finish and featured a combination trapeze bridge/tailpiece.

History

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In 1952 Les Paul has claimed responsibility for the creation of the ES-295. He is said to have called Gibson and told them to paint an ES-175 gold for a young man Paul met at a hospital. The first ES-295s came outfitted with one pickup. By 1953 the guitar was shipping with two pickups.[1] It was designed to be a full-sized hollowbody archtop which would sell alongside the solidbody Les Paul model. The original price of the 295 was $295.[2] The guitar was discontinued in 1959.[3]

In 1990 Gibson reissued the ES-295 but it was again discontinued.[4] In 1999 Gibson again produced the ES-295, this time in a Scotty Moore signature model.[3] In 2013 Gibson also released a reissue '52 ES-295 but discontinued it again.[5]

Specifications

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ES-295s came with the same wrap around trapeze tailpiece that was standard on the first Les Paul Guitars.[1] the whole guitar including the neck were finished in gold with ivory binding and pick-guard. The guitar had two single coil P-90s with cream colored pickup covers. The guitar had a 3 way switch with two tone knobs and two volume knobs. The metal parts were all finished in gold.[2]

Reception

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The 295 did not sell well. By 1957 Gibson changed the pickups from P-90s to Humbuckers. Some thought the gold color was a reason for the diminished interest in the 295. Gibson shipped some ES-295s in sunburst, Argentine Grey and cherry.[1] The guitar was played by Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore.[2]

Notable players

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Price, Huw (19 April 2019). "Gibson's ES-295 Kickstarted Rock 'n Roll, and this 1953 Specimen is a Heartbreaker". Guitar. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Rogers, Dave; Braithwaite, Laun; Mullally, Tim (4 October 2021). "The Archrival of the Original Les Paul". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b Roy, James V. "Scotty Moore signature ES 295". Scotty Moore. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  4. ^ Fjestad, Zachary (20 May 2009). "Gibson ES-295: To Refinish or Not to Refinish?". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Hitmakers: Scotty Moore 1952 Gibson ES-295". Guitar. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
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