Up for sale, a 1955 Gibson ES-130 vintage archtop in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An extremely rare upgrade version of the ES-125 only offered from 1954-58 (and rebranded as the ES-135 by 1956), this golden era Gibson features upscale specs typically associated with an ES-150 including trapezoid inlay on the bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard (instead of unbound with dots), individual tuning machines (instead of strip tuners) and a four-ply pickguard (instead of single-ply tortoise). Only 500-600 examples of the ES-130/135 were produced across its entire production line, and few survive as well-preserved as this particular example.

The fully hollow body (16” lower bout width) boasts an arched maple top and back, Honduran mahogany rims, and a one-piece Honduran mahogany neck.The instrument’s construction results in a clear, broad acoustic response with great natural projection and a smooth, punchy quality. Very dynamically responsive, the original P-90 pickup has a glassy treble bite, growl and rich midrange character. It doesn't get any simpler, and for complex jazz chords or a powerful and present tone for a bit of Americana cut and snarl, this ES-130 is an excellent choice. Weighing 5lbs 1oz, this ES-130 benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-52 roundwound strings (wound G), easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: “Baseball bat” C, measuring .915” 1st fret, .985” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood (bound), trapezoid inlay
• Frets: Slender “banjo,” light wear on frets 1-3
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, nylon
• Tuners: Kluson-style, greened keystone buttons (modern)

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple, mahogany
• Pickups: P-90, 7.94k ohms
• Controls: Volume, Tone
• Harness: 1954-dated IRC pots
• Hardware: Brazilian rosewood compensated bridge, trapeze tailpiece (nickel-plated)
• Plastics: Amber speed knobs, four-ply black pickguard
• Serial: W-prefix Factory Order Number (1955)

The neck meets the body at an ideal angle, and the Brazilian rosewood compensated bridge has room for adjustment on both thumbwheels. The top has ideal curvature, and the plastics and hardware are notably clean. The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is a bold three-tone gloss, 100% original with no touch-up or overspray. There is light vertical checking, mostly on the rims, and wear is limited to a few minor marks and scuffs and very shallow buckle worming central to the waist. The neck profile is clean and smooth, free of palm wear with only a few shallow marks.

A black tolex hardshell case is included.