Gibson ES-5

The Gibson ES-5 is a hollow-body electric guitar produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of the ES, or "Electric Spanish" series of guitars.

1956 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster, played by Carl Perkins

History

The ES-5 was intended to be an electric version of their popular Gibson L-5 acoustic jazz model.[1] The ES-5 was introduced in 1949, and offered several innovative features which have become standard within the industry. The ES-5 was the first model of the ES-series to offer three pickups. Unlike other multiple-pickup models of its era, the ES-5 used three different volume knobs (one for each pickup and one master tone) rather than a selector switch, to offer players improved control over their tone. The model was not as popular as other models of the ES-series, nor as popular as similar models by other manufacturers, such as the Epiphone Zephyr Emperor.[2] In 1955 the model became the ES-5 Switchmaster, which incorporated a four-position selector switch, along with a new six-knob configuration, incorporating a volume and a tone knob for each pickup. The ES-5 Switchmaster was produced until 1962.[3] It remained out of production until a 1995 reissue from the Gibson Custom division. New models of the reissue are still available today. The original models used P-90 single coil pickups,[1] but after 1957 the guitar used PAF humbucker pickups.[4][5][6]

Notable users

References
  1. Freeth, Nick (2000). The electric guitar. London: Salamander. p. 58. ISBN 1840652144.
  2. "ES-5 Switchmaster". Gibson Custom online catalog. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  3. Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (2010). Electric Guitars and Basses. Backbeat Books. p. 72. ISBN 9780879309749.
  4. "Gibson Es 5 Guitar". Music Instrument Reviews: Gibson Vintage Guitars. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  5. "1957 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster". Archtop.com. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  6. "1961 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster #A36092". Premier Guitar Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  7. Guerra, Tom (April 23, 2014). "Jay Geils". Vintageguitar.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  8. "J. Geils Talks, Plays Guitar". YouTube. February 1, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  9. "Yes Guitarist Steve Howe Discusses the Making of Fragile and Close to the Edge". Guitar World. October 10, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  10. @MarkKnopfler (April 10, 2020). "From Guy Fletcher's studio diary during the recording of Mark's album 'Tracker' - can you name the iconic guitar Mark is holding?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. Photos of him with his Switchmaster are on his Find A Grave memorial page.
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