A NVGD plus a... NOVGD

DB1

Pleased to have got this one - it's a 1953 ES-295, in very nice condition, with original case - particularly noticeable is the absence of 'greening', which is pretty common in the gold ES-295's. It's had a repair on the topside where it was cracked - it was a pretty expensive repair by Gruhns, I believe, who also refretted it. It plays very nicely and sounds great. Tuner tips aren't original, but everything else is. Well, it plays as well as it can when I've got my trotters on it. I wanted to be Scotty Moore. So far I've managed Patrick Moore.

The second one is and ES-300, my 'new old vintage guitar' - I had it previously, sold it, and missed it. It's in fabulous condition - virtually mint - and dates from early 1948 (or possibly late 1947). Single P90, of course, and it's hot. Again, it has it's original case with it, and is all original itself. It's the (model of) guitar that Danny Cedrone played the solo on 'Rock Around The Clock' on. So far, I've managed 'Three Blind Mice'.  Still, not to worry. 

octatonic

Love that ES295.
I had a 90's reissue for a while.

How light is it?

Koa

Lovely ES295, the original frets are fairly small on these, the refret can only be a good thing if it helps playability. A Bigsby and it would be perfect.....

impmann

Nice 295. Thing is, I think more of Killing Joke than Scotty Moore when I see these!

roberty

Two absolute stunners. I am properly into that ES295

DB1

I had a reissue too - I liked that a lot, but just fancied a '50's one. It's pretty light, but haven't weighed it yet. I agree re: the frets, and the refret was a plus point for me. The ES-300 frets are fairly small, but it sort of suits that. I have to say, though, a Bigsby would have killed the deal for me. Different strokes, etc... ;-)

Yeah, well, @impmann - we might just be demonstrating an age gap there. 

p90fool

Love both of those - I used to gig a '52 ES295 when I was a teenager and still love them.

DB1

I have to put a word in for the ES-300 as well - it's P90 is a hot, hot thing - plenty of growl to it as the volume knob goes round. It's almost indecent considering it's looks, but jump blues, jazz, rock and roll, swing, It's deceptively easy to play, considering it's size - I do like the history of these - I know @jimmyguitar had a lovely twin pickup model which I coveted, and that was the final incarnation before it morphed into the legendary ES-350. The one that I have was one of the last to feature the 'banner' headstock, as in late 1948, I think, it was phased out to become the modern style. Couple more pics...

p90fool

That must be a very early screw coil P90 too, and I'm surprised it's wound so hot. 

DB1

Yes, I think it was produced only in the second year of P90 production. It's quite a surprising sound - I had to check that the Jr Barnyard pedal wasn't plugged in. Quite an indecent sound for an old jazzer indeed!

brooom

beautiful instruments. Enjoy them

DB1

@octatonic ; - the ES-295  weighs 5.9lbs, and @p90fool - the pickup reading on the ES-300 is 9.06k. Cheers

Wazmeister

That ES295 is quite simply stunning.