1954 Gibson ES-350, Serial Number A-17896
Produced on September 2, 1954, this Gibson ES-350™ is a beautiful example of one of our golden-era electric archtops. Finished in a rich, smoky Tobacco Sunburst, it combines the elegance and acoustic response of a Gibson jazz guitar with the power and versatility of a dual-pickup ES model. While the standard ES-350 specification of the period commonly featured laminated maple construction, this example features a solid spruce top with solid maple back and sides, sharing its construction more closely with the contemporary Gibson L-7C while remaining clearly documented in Gibson records as an ES-350. It also features the model's later four-knob control configuration with a three-way pickup selector switch, a specification that would become standard on subsequent ES-350 production. Factory Order Number X8545-33 remains visible inside the body.
The finish exhibits only light signs of use throughout, including scattered nicks, dings, and light scuffing on the back of the body. The headstock edges remain notably clean, and the guitar presents beautifully overall. The tight, three-dimensional figuring visible throughout the maple back and sides adds tremendous visual depth and pairs beautifully with the dark sunburst finish.
The original gold hardware is in very good condition throughout with light wear through the gold plating at the common touchpoints. The early ABR-1 bridge is original to the instrument and functions as intended, while the Kluson® no-line tuners retain their original buttons and operate smoothly. The original tailpiece suffered a break at the hinge, a common issue on these units. To preserve the original part, an aged-to-match reproduction tailpiece is currently installed using the original footprint and requiring no modification to the guitar. The original broken tailpiece is included in the case.
The medium C maple neck remains exceptionally comfortable in hand, while the original small vintage frets are still in good condition and provide a clean playing experience up and down the neck. The neck angle is excellent, allowing for comfortable action and strong acoustic response across the fretboard.
The electronics remain fully original throughout with untouched solder joints. The neck Dogear P-90 measures 7.81k ohms, while the bridge Dogear P-90 measures 7.61k ohms. Original Centralab® potentiometers, Grey Tiger capacitors, and Switchcraft® components remain in place. The rim surrounding the output jack is structurally sound and shows evidence of additional reinforcement beneath the surface. The work is not visible externally and appears to have been performed many years ago. Tonally, the guitar excels at the warm, round sounds associated with traditional jazz and early electric blues. The controls provide a wide range of usable tones, from mellow and rich to articulate and bright, while the solid spruce top contributes additional snap, responsiveness, and acoustic character not commonly encountered on ES-350s of this period.
The original four-latch brown and pink Lifton® hardshell case remains in excellent condition and is accompanied by a great collection of period case candy. Included are the original Grinnell sales receipt, original ES-350 hang tag marked with the model and serial number, original 6K11 case key, and three vintage guitar instruction books. Together, these items provide a glimpse into the guitar's history and early ownership.
A tremendous player and a highly original example of one of Gibson's most elegant electric archtops, this 1954 ES-350 combines distinctive solid wood construction, desirable mid-1950s features, exceptional originality, and an outstanding collection of original documentation and accessories.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a brown leather guitar strap, matching brown leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.
Weight: 6.24 lb.
Neck Depth: 1st fret: .93", 9th fret: .99"
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Solid maple
Binding Multi-ply cream top and back, single-ply cream neck and headstock
Body Finish Nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Solid maple
Body Shape Venetian cutaway archtop
Body Styles Hollow
Side Solid maple
Top Solid spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Small/vintage
Inlays Split parallelogram, mother-of-pearl
Joint Glued-in, set neck
Neck Material 2-piece maple
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 43.4mm / 1.71in
Profile Medium C
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup P-90 pickup, dogear, black coil (7.61k)
Controls 2 volume, 2 tone Centralab potentiometers with Grey Tiger capacitors
Neck Pickup P-90 pickup, dogear, black coil (7.81k)
Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way selector switch
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
Control Knobs Gold Speed knobs
finish Gold
Pickguard 5-ply black/white pickguard
Pickup Covers Black dogear P-90 covers
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Brass
Strap Buttons White plastic
Switch Tip Amber Catalin switch tip
Tailpiece 3-bar trapeze tailpiece
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Single-ply black bell truss rod cover
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe no line single ring tuners
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag
Model: GCVP0196
Case Lifton 4-latch brown/pink hardshell case
Headstock Open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson logo and crown, mother-of-pearl
Strings Gauge 12-52 flatwound
Gibson Certified Vintage 1954 Gibson ES-350, Tobacco Sunburst
Gibson Certified Vintage 1954 Gibson ES-350, Tobacco Sunburst
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.
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
For a limited time only, receive a three-month subscription to the Gibson App for free with the purchase of this product. Click here to learn more about the Gibson App.
1954 Gibson ES-350, Serial Number A-17896
Produced on September 2, 1954, this Gibson ES-350™ is a beautiful example of one of our golden-era electric archtops. Finished in a rich, smoky Tobacco Sunburst, it combines the elegance and acoustic response of a Gibson jazz guitar with the power and versatility of a dual-pickup ES model. While the standard ES-350 specification of the period commonly featured laminated maple construction, this example features a solid spruce top with solid maple back and sides, sharing its construction more closely with the contemporary Gibson L-7C while remaining clearly documented in Gibson records as an ES-350. It also features the model's later four-knob control configuration with a three-way pickup selector switch, a specification that would become standard on subsequent ES-350 production. Factory Order Number X8545-33 remains visible inside the body.
The finish exhibits only light signs of use throughout, including scattered nicks, dings, and light scuffing on the back of the body. The headstock edges remain notably clean, and the guitar presents beautifully overall. The tight, three-dimensional figuring visible throughout the maple back and sides adds tremendous visual depth and pairs beautifully with the dark sunburst finish.
The original gold hardware is in very good condition throughout with light wear through the gold plating at the common touchpoints. The early ABR-1 bridge is original to the instrument and functions as intended, while the Kluson® no-line tuners retain their original buttons and operate smoothly. The original tailpiece suffered a break at the hinge, a common issue on these units. To preserve the original part, an aged-to-match reproduction tailpiece is currently installed using the original footprint and requiring no modification to the guitar. The original broken tailpiece is included in the case.
The medium C maple neck remains exceptionally comfortable in hand, while the original small vintage frets are still in good condition and provide a clean playing experience up and down the neck. The neck angle is excellent, allowing for comfortable action and strong acoustic response across the fretboard.
The electronics remain fully original throughout with untouched solder joints. The neck Dogear P-90 measures 7.81k ohms, while the bridge Dogear P-90 measures 7.61k ohms. Original Centralab® potentiometers, Grey Tiger capacitors, and Switchcraft® components remain in place. The rim surrounding the output jack is structurally sound and shows evidence of additional reinforcement beneath the surface. The work is not visible externally and appears to have been performed many years ago. Tonally, the guitar excels at the warm, round sounds associated with traditional jazz and early electric blues. The controls provide a wide range of usable tones, from mellow and rich to articulate and bright, while the solid spruce top contributes additional snap, responsiveness, and acoustic character not commonly encountered on ES-350s of this period.
The original four-latch brown and pink Lifton® hardshell case remains in excellent condition and is accompanied by a great collection of period case candy. Included are the original Grinnell sales receipt, original ES-350 hang tag marked with the model and serial number, original 6K11 case key, and three vintage guitar instruction books. Together, these items provide a glimpse into the guitar's history and early ownership.
A tremendous player and a highly original example of one of Gibson's most elegant electric archtops, this 1954 ES-350 combines distinctive solid wood construction, desirable mid-1950s features, exceptional originality, and an outstanding collection of original documentation and accessories.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a brown leather guitar strap, matching brown leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.
Weight: 6.24 lb.
Neck Depth: 1st fret: .93", 9th fret: .99"
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Solid maple
Binding Multi-ply cream top and back, single-ply cream neck and headstock
Body Finish Nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Solid maple
Body Shape Venetian cutaway archtop
Body Styles Hollow
Side Solid maple
Top Solid spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Small/vintage
Inlays Split parallelogram, mother-of-pearl
Joint Glued-in, set neck
Neck Material 2-piece maple
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 43.4mm / 1.71in
Profile Medium C
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup P-90 pickup, dogear, black coil (7.61k)
Controls 2 volume, 2 tone Centralab potentiometers with Grey Tiger capacitors
Neck Pickup P-90 pickup, dogear, black coil (7.81k)
Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way selector switch
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
Control Knobs Gold Speed knobs
finish Gold
Pickguard 5-ply black/white pickguard
Pickup Covers Black dogear P-90 covers
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Brass
Strap Buttons White plastic
Switch Tip Amber Catalin switch tip
Tailpiece 3-bar trapeze tailpiece
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Single-ply black bell truss rod cover
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe no line single ring tuners
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag
Model: GCVP0196
Case Lifton 4-latch brown/pink hardshell case
Headstock Open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson logo and crown, mother-of-pearl
Strings Gauge 12-52 flatwound
Overall rating: 0.0 / 5 from 0 reviews.
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