Introduced in 1952, the same year as the Les Paul Model, the ES-295 represented Gibson's premium electric archtop offering for players seeking the warmth of a hollow-body instrument combined with the power and clarity of the company's revolutionary new P-90 pickups.
 
This particular example, serial number A-11553, is an desirable first-year production instrument, manufactured during the model's inaugural year when Gibson produced only 297 ES-295s. Its serial number places it significantly earlier than the famous ES-295 owned by Elvis Presley's legendary guitarist Scotty Moore, whose instrument carried serial number A-12290.
 
The ES-295 was essentially conceived as the hollow-body counterpart to the new Les Paul Goldtop. The model featured a fully hollow laminated maple body, a mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, dual cream-covered P-90 pickups, and Gibson's innovative trapeze tailpiece with decorative floral motifs. The combination produced a lively, resonant voice with exceptional clarity, warmth, and dynamic response.
 
This guitar remains in very good condition, exhibiting honest vintage character accumulated over more than seven decades. The most notable wear consists of playwear to the back of the neck, evidence of years of use rather than neglect. The guitar retains the visual appeal and authenticity expected of a well-preserved early-1950s Gibson.
 
The tuners have been replaced a long time ago with reproduction units, a common and practical maintenance measure on vintage instruments of this era. The replacement tuners provide dependable tuning stability while preserving the instrument's vintage appearance. Accompanying the guitar is its original Gibson brown hardshell case, an increasingly scarce and highly desirable accessory that adds substantially to the instrument's collectability.
 
Of particular interest is the presence of the "Made in the U.S.A." stamp on the rear of the headstock, indicating that this guitar was produced for export. Such markings were applied to instruments intended for overseas markets and provide an additional layer of historical interest, documenting Gibson's growing international presence during the early post-war period.
 
Model History
The ES-295 was introduced in 1952 and remained in production until 1958. While initially marketed toward jazz, country, and western swing musicians, the model would later become closely associated with the birth of rock and roll through Scotty Moore's performances and recordings with Elvis Presley. The sight of Moore's gold ES-295 helped establish the guitar as one of the defining instruments of the 1950s.
 
Although production numbers remained relatively modest throughout its run, first-year examples are particularly sought after due to their historical significance and rarity. With only 297 produced during 1952, surviving instruments from the inaugural year represent some of the most collectible post-war Gibson electrics.
 
Technical Specifications
Year: 1952
Serial Number: A-11553
Body: Fully hollow laminated maple
Neck: Mahogany
Scale Length: 24¾ inches
Pickups: Gibson P-90 
Controls: Two volume, two tone, three-way selector switch
Tailpiece: Trapeze tailpiece
Tuners: Reproduction Kluson
Case: Original Gibson brown hardshell case
Export Marking: "Made in the U.S.A." stamp on rear of headstock