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.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Natural Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material 5-ply Laminated Maple
Body Shape ES-5
Body Styles Hollow
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Medium (Refret)
Inlays Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Glued, Set Neck
Neck Material 2-piece Maple
Nut Material Bone (Replaced)
Nut Width 43.1mm / 1.7in
Profile Chunky D
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup P-90 (7.57k)
Controls 3 volume, Master Tone
Middle Pickup P-90 (7.42k)
Neck Pickup P-90 (7.60k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Gold Bigsby Rocker Bridge with Rosewood Base
Control Knobs Tall Gold Barrel Knobs
finish Gold
Pickguard Replica 5-ply black (Original in case)
Pickup Covers Black Dogear P-90
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Aluminum
Strap Buttons White plastic Endpin, Gold (Installed on the heel)
Tailpiece Bigsby B6 Vibrato
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply Stepped
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Waffleback with Plastic Keystone Tips
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories COA, LOA, Limited lifetime warranty
Model: GCVP0084
Case Original brown-and-green Lifton Case
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge Flatwound 11-50
Gibson Certified Vintage 1949 Gibson ES-5N, Natural
Gibson Certified Vintage 1949 Gibson ES-5N, Natural
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
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.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Natural Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material 5-ply Laminated Maple
Body Shape ES-5
Body Styles Hollow
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Medium (Refret)
Inlays Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Glued, Set Neck
Neck Material 2-piece Maple
Nut Material Bone (Replaced)
Nut Width 43.1mm / 1.7in
Profile Chunky D
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup P-90 (7.57k)
Controls 3 volume, Master Tone
Middle Pickup P-90 (7.42k)
Neck Pickup P-90 (7.60k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Gold Bigsby Rocker Bridge with Rosewood Base
Control Knobs Tall Gold Barrel Knobs
finish Gold
Pickguard Replica 5-ply black (Original in case)
Pickup Covers Black Dogear P-90
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Aluminum
Strap Buttons White plastic Endpin, Gold (Installed on the heel)
Tailpiece Bigsby B6 Vibrato
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply Stepped
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Waffleback with Plastic Keystone Tips
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories COA, LOA, Limited lifetime warranty
Model: GCVP0084
Case Original brown-and-green Lifton Case
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge Flatwound 11-50
