Gibson ES-5 explained

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.

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, but after 1957 the guitar used PAF humbucker pickups.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Notable users

• T-Bone Walker
• Lowell Fulson
• Roy Gaines
• J. Geils^{[7] [8]}
• Wes Montgomery
• Carl Perkins
• B.B. King
• Frank Zappa
• Steve Howe (main guitar on Fragile)^[9]
• Kid Ramos
• Junior Watson
• Dave Edmunds
• Mark Knopfler^[10]
• Jimmy Page
• Howard Gordon, guitarist of The Chuck Wagon Gang during the 1950s and 60s
• Jimmy Nolen
• Jimmy Pruett, country musician who played guitar and piano and was blind^[11]

Notes and References

1. Book: Freeth, Nick . The electric guitar . 2000 . Salamander . 1840652144 . London . 58. 18893573M .
2. Web site: ES-5 Switchmaster . 2010-06-07 . Gibson Custom online catalog . May 30, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100530151918/http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Archtop/Gibson-Custom/ES-5-Switchmaster.aspx . dead .
3. Book: Gruhn . George . Carter . Walter . Electric Guitars and Basses . 2010 . Backbeat Books . 9780879309749 . 72.
4. Web site: Gibson Es 5 Guitar . 2010-06-07 . Music Instrument Reviews: Gibson Vintage Guitars.
5. Web site: 1957 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster . 2010-06-07 . Archtop.com . January 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100129012610/http://www.archtop.com/ac_53ES350.html%20copy . dead .
6. 1961 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster #A36092 . Premier Guitar Magazine . 2010-06-07 . July 19, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719122738/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Nov/1961_Gibson_ES_5_Switchmaster_A36092.aspx . dead .
7. Web site: Guerra . Tom . 23 April 2014 . Jay Geils . 18 December 2017 . Vintageguitar.com.
8. Web site: 1 February 2013 . J. Geils Talks, Plays Guitar . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/dZe-JZHAW6Q . 2021-12-15 . 18 December 2017 . YouTube.
9. Web site: 10 October 2014 . Yes Guitarist Steve Howe Discusses the Making of Fragile and Close to the Edge . 2 February 2016 . Guitar World.
10. MarkKnopfler . 1248657345883799552 . From Guy Fletcher's studio diary during the recording of Mark's album 'Tracker' - can you name the iconic guitar Mark is holding?.
11. http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=13263 "Jimmy Pruett,"