FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO JOE’S VINTAGE GUITARS in Mesa, AZ with any questions, or to chat about the instrument.

This is an early 1950s Gibson ES-140, the 3/4 size electric archtop, and it plays great. The short scale and the smaller body make it an easy guitar to pick up and keep playing, good for smaller hands, for a kid learning on it, or for anybody who wants something that sits comfortably on the couch.

Playability

The neck plays really nicely. There’s fret wear, with most of it down in the lower positions where the first-position chords live, and there’s some wear in the fingerboard itself. None of that gets in the way of playing the guitar. It sounds great.

About The Date

The FON is ink-stamped inside the body and reads 312913. A FON is the batch number Gibson stamped into the bare wood early in assembly, and on a guitar from this era it’s usually the better dating clue. This one doesn’t line up with the published FON tables, so we’re not putting a year on it from the stamp.

The knobs, the construction, and the sunburst all point to the early ’50s, most likely 1952 or 1953. If you want to work the number yourself, just ask and we’ll send a photo of the stamp.

Condition

Good playing condition with the wear you’d expect on a guitar this age. The frets and board show the wear described above. The tuners are tarnished, and the buttons on them have been replaced.

The Case

It comes with its original case, in decent shape for its age. The hinges are broken off, so the lid lifts away from the body instead of swinging open. The latches are all in good shape.

Features

• Early 1950s Gibson ES-140, 3/4 size
• Ink-stamped FON 312913, which doesn’t match the published FON tables
• Knobs, construction and sunburst point to about 1950 to 1953
• Plays really nicely and sounds great
• Fret wear, mostly in the lower positions
• Some fingerboard wear
• Tarnish on the tuners, buttons replaced
• Original case included, hinges broken off, latches good

At Joe’s Vintage Guitars, your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind every instrument we sell, and we want you to feel completely confident in your purchase. That’s why we offer a 7-day return policy with no restocking fee. Take a full week to inspect, play, and fall in love with your new guitar. If for any reason it isn’t the right fit, simply return it in the same condition for a full refund—no hidden fees, no hassle. We know that buying a vintage instrument is a big decision, and we’re committed to making the process as comfortable and transparent as possible. Shop with peace of mind knowing that every guitar from Joe’s Vintage Guitars is backed by honest service and years of expertise.