Gibson ES-295

{{Short description|Hollow body guitar by Gibson, 1952 to 1959}} {{Infobox guitar model | title = Gibson ES-295 | image = Gibson ES-295, Sun Studio.jpg | caption = Gibson ES-295 at [[Sun Studio]] | manufacturer = [[Gibson Brands]] | period = 1952-1959 | bodytype = Hollow body | necktype = | scale = 24.75" | woodbody = Maple | woodneck = Mahogany | woodfingerboard = Rosewood | bridge = Les Paul combination bridge/tailpiece | pickups = [[P-90]]s | colors = Sunburst, Cherry and Natural }} The '''Gibson ES-295''' (1952–1959) is a hollow body guitar which was built by the [[Gibson Guitar Company]]. The ES-295 was introduced in May 1952 as a fancier version of the [[Gibson ES-175|ES-175]]. The 295 had the same measurements as the ES-175, but it came in gold finish and featured a combination trapeze bridge/tailpiece.

==History== In 1952 Les Paul has claimed responsibility for the creation of the ES-295. He is said to have called Gibson and told them to paint an ES-175 gold for a young man Paul met at a hospital. The first ES-295s came outfitted with one pickup. By 1953 the guitar was shipping with two pickups.<ref name="Huw"/> It was designed to be a full-sized hollowbody archtop which would sell alongside the solidbody Les Paul model. The original price of the 295 was $295.<ref name="Rogers"/> The guitar was discontinued in 1959.<ref name="Roy"/>

In 1990 Gibson reissued the ES-295 but it was again discontinued.<ref name="Fjestad">{{cite news |last1=Fjestad |first1=Zachary |title=Gibson ES-295: To Refinish or Not to Refinish? |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/gibson-es-295-to-refinish-or-not-to-refinish |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Premier Guitar |date=20 May 2009}}</ref> In 1999 Gibson again produced the ES-295, this time in a Scotty Moore signature model.<ref name="Roy">{{cite web |last1=Roy |first1=James V. |title=Scotty Moore signature ES 295 |url=http://www.scottymoore.net/99ES295.html |website=Scotty Moore |access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> In 2013 Gibson also released a reissue '52 ES-295 but discontinued it again.<ref name="Guitar">{{cite news |title=Hitmakers: Scotty Moore 1952 Gibson ES-295 |url=https://guitar.com/features/hitmakers-scotty-moore/ |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Guitar |date=25 April 2017}}</ref>

==Specifications== ES-295s came with the same wrap around trapeze tailpiece that was standard on the first [[Les Paul Guitar]]s.<ref name="Huw"/> the whole guitar including the neck were finished in gold with ivory binding and pick-guard. The guitar had two single coil P-90s with cream colored pickup covers. The guitar had a 3 way switch with two tone knobs and two volume knobs. The metal parts were all finished in gold.<ref name="Rogers">{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |last2=Braithwaite |first2=Laun |last3=Mullally |first3=Tim |title=The Archrival of the Original Les Paul |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/pro-advice/vintage-vault/1952-gibson-es-295 |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Premier Guitar |date=4 October 2021}}</ref>

==Reception== The 295 did not sell well. By 1957 Gibson changed the pickups from [[P-90]]s to [[Humbucker]]s. Some thought the gold color was a reason for the diminished interest in the 295. Gibson shipped some ES-295s in sunburst, Argentine Grey and cherry.<ref name="Huw">{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Huw |title=Gibson's ES-295 Kickstarted Rock 'n Roll, and this 1953 Specimen is a Heartbreaker |url=https://guitar.com/review/vintage-review/the-gibson-es-295-kickstarted-rock-n-roll-and-this-1953-specimen-is-a-heartbreaker/ |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Guitar |date=19 April 2019}}</ref> The guitar was played by Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore.<ref name="Rogers"/>

==Notable players== *[[Joe Bonamassa]] *[[Danny Gatton]] *[[Scotty Moore]] *[[Johnny Marr]] *[[Geordie Walker]] *[[Bryan Adams]] * [[Diego García (músico)|Diego García (Twanguero)]] * [[Joel Paterson]] * Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) * Featured prominently in the music video "[[Are You Jimmy Ray?]]"

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Gibson electric guitars|ES-295]] [[Category:Semi-acoustic guitars]] [[Category:1952 musical instruments|Category:1958 musical instruments]] [[Category:1952 in music]] [[Category:Discontinued products]]