Gibson ES-140TN 3/4 (1958)
Hollow-Body/Archtop · S (1 Single Coil) Pickups · Vintage
Small & Mighty: This stunning 1958 ES-140TN 3/4 brings LP-like playability into the ES-175 format
There are student model guitars from the Golden Era, and then there's this -a 1958 Gibson ES-140TN 3/4 in marvelous original condition!Essentially Gibson's version of a "baby" ES-175, this thinline version is one of the rarer production instruments you're ever to encounter from this period. Just 1 of 22 shipped in '58, it follows the production behaviors of many of the other Natural-finished Gibsons of the period. Gibson shipped on average a much smaller percentage of Natural guitars relative to the standard Sunburst finish. Even though it's a 3/4 guitar, this 140 was no exception.
It appears from our evaluation that this 140TN 3/4 spent more time dormant in its original brown Lifton hardshell case than anything, with one headstock chip to prove it had actually been handled outside of its case at one point in almost 70 years. The Natural finish and lacquer is largely unfaded and lacks the typical weather checking we're used to seeing on guitars of this vintage. Hardware and plastics are in excellent shape, as are the original electronics. It's easy to make assumptions about sound with such a small hollowbody. Sharing much of the shape of a Les Paul but with the construction of a fully hollow laminated Maple guitar, it naturally has a more focused and direct acoustic tone. Plugged in, however, you could close your eyes and swear you were hearing one of its bigger brothers. The original P90 pickup has excellent output, with no lack of warmth and clarity that makes these pickups so coveted.
The neck profile is nice and round, with a typical C shape and a lean taper that retains its fullness nicely. The 1 9/16" nut width, 22 3/4" scale length, and 19-fret fingerboard might sound cramped and/or limiting on paper, but the guitar is a total joy to play.
Whether you're a collector or you've got a thing for 'lil Gibsons, it's hard to not be impressed by this one!
Includes original Lifton 3/4 hardshell case. On consignment. Expedited shipping required.
| Style | Hollowbody |
| Body | Laminated Maple |
| Finish | Nitrocellulose |
| Color | Natural |
| Pickups | Original P90 | 8.7k |
| Electronics | Original |
| Controls | Volume / Tone |
| Bridge | Original |
| Tuners | Original Kluson |
| Pickguard | Original |
| Knobs | Original Amber Bonnet |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Binding | N/A |
| Carve | 50s C | .89-.94" |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian Rosewood |
| Radius | 12" |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Frets | Original |
| Nut | Original |
| Scale Length | 22 3/4" |
| Serial # | FON T6165 18 |
| Weight | 4lb 3oz |
| Case | Original Lifton |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
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