1949 Gibson ES-5N, Serial Number A-3878
This first-year Gibson ES-5N represents a major step in our ongoing drive for innovation during the postwar era. Introduced in 1949 as our new top-of-the-line electric archtop, the ES-5 paired the 17-inch body of our flagship L-5 with a unique new electric format—three P-90 pickups, each with individual volume controls and a master tone. This was the first model of its kind offered by any major manufacturer, setting a new precedent for sonic versatility and design. Seen in the hands of artists like T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, and Carl Perkins, the ES-5 became a staple for early rock and blues musicians as well as the jazz scene these archtops were originally designed for.
Shipped from Kalamazoo on October 21, 1949, to Freeman’s Music, this well-loved example has the look, feel, and sound of an instrument that has been making music for nearly eight decades.
This early example features a 5-ply laminated maple body with strong three-dimensional figuring and a beautifully worn natural finish. There are nicks, dings, and lacquer checking throughout, and the neck has developed a soft satin feel from years of play. The neck is a comfortable, chunky late-’40s D profile that plays cleanly up and down the fingerboard. The area around the input jack—often prone to stress cracks—shows similar wear but remains fully stable. The gold hardware is tarnished throughout but fully functional.
The wiring harness is all original, featuring a trio of P-90 pickups—each strong and balanced—controlled by individual volume knobs and a master tone. Two of the original tall barrel knobs had been lost to time and have been replaced with a vintage set we were able to source. A gold Bigsby B6 tailpiece and matching Bigsby rocker bridge were installed early in the guitar’s history, likely in the late 1950s or early 1960s, giving this instrument even more tonal versatility. A gold Gibson strap button from the same period was installed off-center on the back of the heel, and the white plastic endpin has been glued into place.
The guitar received a professional refret and a beautifully crafted replica five-ply pickguard by Glaser Instruments (the original deteriorating celluloid guard is included). The fingerboard binding, which had slightly shrunk away from the new bone nut, was stabilized with small bone shims matching the nut—allowing for smooth playability and a clean look.
The original brown Lifton case with green felt lining is well worn but remains fully functional.
A well-preserved and fully serviced ES-5 with all the stage-worn look, feel, and soul you could ask for.
This guitar has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new limited lifetime warranty.
Guitar Specifications
Corpo
Corpo
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Natural Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body 5-ply Laminated Maple
Forma Del Corpo ES-5
Tipi di corpo Hollow
Manico
Manico
Materiale della tastiera Brazilian Rosewood
Raggio della tastiera 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Tasti Medium (Refret)
Intarsi Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Glued, Set Neck
Materiale del manico 2-piece Maple
Materiale del capotasto Bone (Replaced)
Larghezza del capotasto 43.1mm / 1.7in
Profilo Chunky D
Lunghezza della scala 647.7mm / 25.5in
Elettronica
Elettronica
Pickup al ponte P-90 (7.57k)
Controlli 3 volume, Master Tone
Pickup centrale P-90 (7.42k)
Pickup al manico P-90 (7.60k)
Jack di uscita 1/4"
Hardware
Hardware
Ponti Gold Bigsby Rocker Bridge with Rosewood Base
Manopole di controllo Tall Gold Barrel Knobs
finish Gold
Battipenna Replica 5-ply black (Original in case)
Coperture per pickup Black Dogear P-90
Parti in plastica Black
Materiale della selletta Aluminum
Bottoni della tracolla White plastic Endpin, Gold (Installed on the heel)
Cordiere Bigsby B6 Vibrato
Truss Rod Adjustable
Copritruss 2-ply Stepped
Placcatura del sintonizzatore Gold
Meccaniche Kluson Waffleback with Plastic Keystone Tips
Varie
Varie
Accessori COA, LOA, Limited lifetime warranty
Model: GCVP0084
Custodie Original brown-and-green Lifton Case
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Stringhe di forza Flatwound 11-50
Gibson Certified Vintage 1949 Gibson ES-5N, Natural
Gibson Certified Vintage 1949 Gibson ES-5N, Natural
Spedizione gratuita e veloce
Spedizione gratuita e veloce
Gli ordini effettuati entro le 13:00 dal lunedì al venerdì (festivi esclusi) verranno elaborati lo stesso giorno. Gli ordini effettuati dopo questo orario verranno spediti il giorno lavorativo successivo. Tutti gli ordini superiori a 50 € riceveranno la spedizione standard gratuita.
Garanzia limitata a vita
Garanzia limitata a vita
Gli strumenti sono coperti dalla nostra garanzia a vita, che ti permette di fare acquisti e suonare nella massima serenità. Per ulteriori informazioni sulle garanzie e sulle esclusioni, fai clic qui .
Custodia inclusa
Custodia inclusa
Lo strumento viene fornito con una custodia rigida o morbida inviata dalla fabbrica, per trasportarlo e conservarlo in tutta sicurezza. Per ulteriori dettagli, fare riferimento alle specifiche del prodotto.
Setup incluso
Setup incluso
I nostri tecnici specializzati eseguono un'ispezione finale minuziosa e un setup dettagliato prima che lo strumento venga imballato e spedito.
Tre Mesi Gratuiti dell’App Gibson
Tre Mesi Gratuiti dell’App Gibson
Per un periodo limitato, ricevi un abbonamento gratuito di tre mesi all’App Gibson con l’acquisto di questo prodotto. Clicca qui per saperne di più sull’App Gibson.
1949 Gibson ES-5N, Serial Number A-3878
This first-year Gibson ES-5N represents a major step in our ongoing drive for innovation during the postwar era. Introduced in 1949 as our new top-of-the-line electric archtop, the ES-5 paired the 17-inch body of our flagship L-5 with a unique new electric format—three P-90 pickups, each with individual volume controls and a master tone. This was the first model of its kind offered by any major manufacturer, setting a new precedent for sonic versatility and design. Seen in the hands of artists like T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, and Carl Perkins, the ES-5 became a staple for early rock and blues musicians as well as the jazz scene these archtops were originally designed for.
Shipped from Kalamazoo on October 21, 1949, to Freeman’s Music, this well-loved example has the look, feel, and sound of an instrument that has been making music for nearly eight decades.
This early example features a 5-ply laminated maple body with strong three-dimensional figuring and a beautifully worn natural finish. There are nicks, dings, and lacquer checking throughout, and the neck has developed a soft satin feel from years of play. The neck is a comfortable, chunky late-’40s D profile that plays cleanly up and down the fingerboard. The area around the input jack—often prone to stress cracks—shows similar wear but remains fully stable. The gold hardware is tarnished throughout but fully functional.
The wiring harness is all original, featuring a trio of P-90 pickups—each strong and balanced—controlled by individual volume knobs and a master tone. Two of the original tall barrel knobs had been lost to time and have been replaced with a vintage set we were able to source. A gold Bigsby B6 tailpiece and matching Bigsby rocker bridge were installed early in the guitar’s history, likely in the late 1950s or early 1960s, giving this instrument even more tonal versatility. A gold Gibson strap button from the same period was installed off-center on the back of the heel, and the white plastic endpin has been glued into place.
The guitar received a professional refret and a beautifully crafted replica five-ply pickguard by Glaser Instruments (the original deteriorating celluloid guard is included). The fingerboard binding, which had slightly shrunk away from the new bone nut, was stabilized with small bone shims matching the nut—allowing for smooth playability and a clean look.
The original brown Lifton case with green felt lining is well worn but remains fully functional.
A well-preserved and fully serviced ES-5 with all the stage-worn look, feel, and soul you could ask for.
This guitar has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new limited lifetime warranty.
Guitar Specifications
Corpo
Corpo
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Natural Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body 5-ply Laminated Maple
Forma Del Corpo ES-5
Tipi di corpo Hollow
Manico
Manico
Materiale della tastiera Brazilian Rosewood
Raggio della tastiera 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Tasti Medium (Refret)
Intarsi Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Glued, Set Neck
Materiale del manico 2-piece Maple
Materiale del capotasto Bone (Replaced)
Larghezza del capotasto 43.1mm / 1.7in
Profilo Chunky D
Lunghezza della scala 647.7mm / 25.5in
Elettronica
Elettronica
Pickup al ponte P-90 (7.57k)
Controlli 3 volume, Master Tone
Pickup centrale P-90 (7.42k)
Pickup al manico P-90 (7.60k)
Jack di uscita 1/4"
Hardware
Hardware
Ponti Gold Bigsby Rocker Bridge with Rosewood Base
Manopole di controllo Tall Gold Barrel Knobs
finish Gold
Battipenna Replica 5-ply black (Original in case)
Coperture per pickup Black Dogear P-90
Parti in plastica Black
Materiale della selletta Aluminum
Bottoni della tracolla White plastic Endpin, Gold (Installed on the heel)
Cordiere Bigsby B6 Vibrato
Truss Rod Adjustable
Copritruss 2-ply Stepped
Placcatura del sintonizzatore Gold
Meccaniche Kluson Waffleback with Plastic Keystone Tips
Varie
Varie
Accessori COA, LOA, Limited lifetime warranty
Model: GCVP0084
Custodie Original brown-and-green Lifton Case
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Stringhe di forza Flatwound 11-50