Gibson ES-150D Electric Double Cutaway Archtop Walnut, 1974

Here’s another rarity – the Gibson ES-150D, a double cutaway, full depth hollow body electric archtop built as late as 1974 at the unionized Kalamazoo plant during the Norlin years.

Drawing inspiration from the venerable ES-150 model – introduced in 1936 with the ‘Charlie Christian’ pickup and built until 1956 – the Gibson ES-150D is unusual. In 1958, the all-new thinline, semi-hollow ES-335 and 345 were introduced and started the final decline of the popular full depth archtop. The larger, hollow guitars were hard to control at increasing stage volumes and the thinline center block concept solved that very real problem. Only a few of the traditional models remained, particularly the ES-175 and L-5. The Barney Kessel (built from 1961 to 1974), and the Trini Lopez (1964-1970) models were two of the very few other full body models introduced.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson ES-150D double cutaway electric archtop. It was built between 1970 and 1975, likely around 1974; during this period Gibson re-used serial numbers. It bears the small square Norlin ‘Union Made’ label, with the marking ES-150D. It’s also known as the ES-150DC, or ES-150 DW with the W indicating the Walnut stain finish. The body construction is Maple laminate, with an ES-335 shape but 3 inch depth. The top is braced with a pair of tone bars. The body blocks and neck are Mahogany, with an Indian Rosewood fingerboard. A pair of humbucking pickups are wired with a pickup selector, individual volume and tone controls, and a master volume on the lower cutaway. Tuners are Gibson Deluxe built by Kluson with plastic Keystone buttons. The bridge is an ABR tune-o-matic and the tailpiece is a traditional, simple trapeze.

This Gibson ES-150D example is in good condition, with some honest finish wear due to playing and expected lacquer checking. The frets are fairly low, wide and flat, which was common for the period but are not overly worn. It’s got a full, solid jazz tone, and provides good access to the upper frets. Typical of late 1960’s to early 1970’s Gibson models, the fingerboard width at the nut is a fairly slim 1.592 inch or 40.43mm.

Sold with a non-original padded semi-rigid gig bag.