1958 / 1963 Gibson EMS-1235 Double Mandolin double neck. Vintage golden era one-of-a-kind EDS-1275 EBS-1250

This is an extraordinary instrument. There were only 40’ish of the original custom order “spruce top” hollowbody EMS double necks shipped. There are about a dozen white ones. I have collected and researched these for over 30 years. I played my first “Spruce Top” in 1983…and it made an impression. I have since owned 11 of the original 40+ instruments. Almost all of them are now in museums, buried in serious private collections, or parked with well-known rock stars. There may be less than 5 or 6 still unaccounted for. (Assuming the shipping totals are accurate.)

The “Spruce Top” hollowbody Doublenecks are arguably the most undervalued of the “Golden Era” Gibson instruments. At an introductory price of $435, these were insanely expensive. Almost all of them were bought by performing musicians….much more so than any other single Gibson model. With an exclusive one-of-a-kind gloriously unique tone, intricate construction, and production numbers almost completely in line with 50’s Korina Explorers, one could easily argue these should be $500k+ instruments, right now.

This one, however, is one-of-a-kind.

There are maybe a handful of golden era Gibson instruments more bizarre and unusual this this.

The original CASE and some tags are included.

Due to the fact it cannot be replaced, international delivery will be via hand delivery only.

Bring your “A game” to the table, this is top shelf stuff right here!

Abalone Vintage History and Expertise:

Established in 1989, Abalone Vintage has long been a trusted source for artists, collectors, investors, museums, and weekend warriors alike, with a client list that reads like a rock and roll hall of fame. From Ace Frehley and Jerry Garcia to James Hetfield, the shop has placed iconic guitars into the hands of music legends. Gear once owned or played by Eric Johnson, Dick Dale, John Entwistle, Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Gary Moore, Phil Keaggy, Jefferson Starship, King’s X, Ritchie Blackmore, Andy Timmons, Social Distortion, Syn Gates, Megadeth, Stone Temple Pilots, R.E.M., Genesis, Bush, and countless others has passed through Abalone's doors. These aren’t just name-drops, they’re a testament to the shop’s deep credibility and long-standing trust in the world of professional musicianship.

The shop’s legacy of rare and historically significant instruments is nothing short of extraordinary. Among the crown jewels are the legendary 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard “Burst” guitars, along with several original Korina 50’s Flying V’s. Other highlights include the 1958 and 1967 Gretsch Jet Firebirds owned by John Entwistle, Ace Frehley’s 1977 Gibson Les Paul Custom, a stunning collection of '80s “graphic” Kramer guitars, Brian May Guild signature models with serial numbers 0001 and 0002, and the famed “Greenie” Burst—a 1959 Les Paul made famous by Gary Moore and later Kirk Hammett. Abalone Vintage has also handled ultra-rare examples such as a 1937 Gibson double-neck (the first solid body Gibson ever made), Travis Bean TB500 #12, prototype Zions, and early Boogie Bodies and Charvel guitars that helped define the sound of modern rock.

With over 35 years at the forefront of the vintage guitar market, Abalone Vintage has become synonymous with expertise, precision, and integrity. Founder Eric Ernest has grown the business from a small-town showroom into a nationally recognized authority, appearing at major guitar shows and serving clients across the globe. He is widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on vintage 50’s and 60’s Gibson double-neck guitars, with a track record of authenticating and restoring some of the most valuable and historically important examples ever made. Whether verifying the provenance of a celebrity-owned Les Paul or bringing a 1950s amp back to life, Abalone Vintage offers a level of service and knowledge that is unmatched. Now proudly based in Nashville, the shop continues to raise the bar for excellence in vintage guitar collecting.