1956/7 Gibson ES-140T - Natural

[JMoto]

How does the skinny nut width fare for big folks wanting to play fingerstyle?
I am a gal, but all the folks pictured seem to be tiny like Norah at 5'2". For us 6'2" folks.... finger twister?

Anyone see anything for sale that has the right tail piece right now? Norms doesn't as mentioned and seems overpriced for the length of time on market already.

[David Dvorin]

Most folks who do finger-style usually like a wider nut width, which the ES-140 does not have (1 9/16”). It’s not altogether too skinny like, say a 60s Mustang or Duo Sonic, and is saved by the nice, round neck 50s Gibson profile (although smaller). I’m 5’8” and have reasonably large hands and find the fretboard width excellent and very playable, but I mainly play with a pick.

There seems to be quite a few for sale on Reverb at the moment, both full-depth and thin (although I can’t say enough about the full-depth tone). I’d stay away from the one with the TOM bridge or un-original parts. Most are hitting the high $3000s, except this one, which seems like a good deal:

1955 Gibson ES-140 - Killer Vintage P-90 Tone - Sunburst - With Hard Case 1955 Gibson ES-140 - Killer Vintage P-90 Tone - Sunburst - | Reverb

From what the seller describes you may be in for a fret job, which still might keep it in the running...I bought mine sight unseen from an auction and wound up having to get new frets. Worth it as it now plays great!

I also wouldn’t worry too much about original case. Mine had the original hard shell which unfortunately smelled really musty, and I wound up buying a TKL that fits really well and is much more protective.

[Steve Z]

How does the skinny nut width fare for big folks wanting to play fingerstyle?
I am a gal, but all the folks pictured seem to be tiny like Norah at 5'2". For us 6'2" folks.... finger twister?

Anyone see anything for sale that has the right tail piece right now? Norms doesn't as mentioned and seems overpriced for the length of time on market already.

The 1 9/16" nut width is definitely tiny and the short scale seems to accent the smallness of the guitar. As David mentioned, the '50s round neck carve does add some heft to the neck making it feel a bit bigger than it is. I compare this to my '65/66 ES-125 3/4 which has a skinnier neck profile and feels a smaller to play... less shoulder than my '57 ES-140.

You really need to play one or a few and decide if the nut width will work or if it is too small. It as the same 1 9/16" width as the mid-late '60s Gibson electric guitars. I think the full size guitars with 1 9/16" nut width feel smaller than the 3/4 size guitars.

Correct tailpiece: unfortunately it is not uncommon for '50s trapeze tailpieces to break. There are plenty of guitars with original tailpieces... just need to wait. Always smart to set up web alerts on Reverb, eBay etc. ES-140 list prices have definitely gone up lately. They are not necessarily selling for the high prices, but many sellers seem to be willing to wait for the large $$ buyer.

Good luck in your search.

[Steve Z]

Slightly off thread topic, though a very similar guitar...
Here's some great playing on a Gibson ES-125 3/4 converted to a Tenor guitar by luthier Joel Eckhaus.

[Steve Z]

Here's a ES-140 that was converted to a tenor guitar by luthier Joel Eckhaus. Pretty cool!
Tenor Guitar Conversions | Earnest Instruments

It recently sold on eBay. The seller did not disclose that it was a conversion... the auction text merely states ES-140 tenor, which never was factor produced by Gibson.

[David Dvorin]

That’s really interesting to see the tenor conversion. I personally hate to see these excellent guitars being modified since they work so well in their original state...However as long as they’re being played, then to each their own!

Keep the posts coming for this awesomely underrated guitar! It’s great to see so much information and a plethora of examples in a variety of musical settings.

[Hammertone]

That faultless case is something I have wanted ever since I purchased my 140 and the only time I've seen just the case for sale it was within $100 of what I paid for my guitar.
I think purchasing another 140 that has the case is about the only way of getting one.
Or at least that's how I will explain it to the wife..... after it arrives of course. Renn

I have the same experience... I am on the hunt for a faultess case as well... prices are as crazy high as the case is crazy rare.

I have one of these cases in brown/pink, in great shape. I have no use for it. Hmmm....I'll take a couple of pix over the weekend and post them here. If either of you want it, let me know - I'm sure we can sort something out.

[Steve Z]

This is interesting... someone replaced the P-90 with a full size Charlie Christian pickup...



image source: Flickr

[Hammertone]

That faultless case is something I have wanted ever since I purchased my 140 and the only time I've seen just the case for sale it was within $100 of what I paid for my guitar. I think purchasing another 140 that has the case is about the only way of getting one. Or at least that's how I will explain it to the wife..... after it arrives of course. Renn

I have the same experience... I am on the hunt for a faultess case as well... prices are as crazy high as the case is crazy rare.

I have one of these cases in brown/pink, in great shape. I have no use for it. Hmmm....I'll take a couple of pix over the weekend and post them here. If either of you want it, let me know - I'm sure we can sort something out.

well, I never said WHICH weekend. Here are a few pix of the spare ES-140 case I have, for which I have no use:

[Steve Z]

Here's a photo from a 1959 Gibson Guitars & Amplifiers catalog. Very cool how the three 3/4 size models spread across the two page.

ES140 sunburst - $185; natural $200.
hardcase - $42.50
softcase - $11.50
(I wish the original owner of my ES140 had payed the extra $31 for the hard case )



(image source: Highly Coveted -1959 Gibson Guitars & Amplifiers catalog | Reverb)

[Steve Z]

Here's an interesting picture of the neck joint on an ES-140...


(image source: Login • Instagram)

[Steve Z]

Found this image of a 1966 ES-140 in factory white... wow! A one of a kind?



(image source: "factory white" refin vintage 335 at Capsule | The Canadian Guitar Forum )

[Steve Z]

Here's another one of a kind custom ES-140. This was offered on Reverb about 6 years ago for the low price of $19,995 (oh my).
Gibson ES-140-N-3/4-Special 1961 Blonde | The Guitar Broker | Reverb









(photo source: Gibson ES-140-N-3/4-Special 1961 Blonde | The Guitar Broker | Reverb )

[Gitfiddler]

Those ES-140T's are SO cute!

I'd love one just to hang out with my (full sized) ES-175.

[David Dvorin]

Here's another one of a kind custom ES-140. This was offered on Reverb about 6 years ago for the low price of $19,995 (oh my).
Gibson ES-140-N-3/4-Special 1961 Blonde | The Guitar Broker | Reverb









(photo source: Gibson ES-140-N-3/4-Special 1961 Blonde | The Guitar Broker | Reverb )

That’s an amazing, unique guitar! Wow, a PAF and maple neck with stinger…hard to believe that Gibson made that as a custom order with bigsby, etc.

[David Dvorin]

Found this image of a 1966 ES-140 in factory white... wow! A one of a kind?



(image source: "factory white" refin vintage 335 at Capsule | The Canadian Guitar Forum )

Looks like the white one you posted a few years back on this thread owned by Jessica Hoop…

[Steve Z]

Looks like the white one you posted a few years back on this thread owned by Jessica Hoop…

You are correct. Different sources for the photo so I didn’t associate the two guitars. The source of the white ES-140 I just posted stated...

It ended up in the hands of a backup singer from Peter Gabriels band . Jesca something .

Thanks for noticing! Up until now I had just thought that Jesca's white ES-140 was refinished. Pretty cool its factory white finish.

[David Dvorin]

I never forget a distinctive es140! :-) Didn’t guess it was factory finish, tho’….

[Steve Z]

It's the write-up for an ES-140 from a 1961-1962 Gibson Catalogue... (the image text is not as clear as I would like, but still readable).

"... provides big performance for youngsters or adult guitarists with small hands and fingers..."

[Will W]

Damn , I want one now ....

anyone makin a cheap copy of these ?
in short scale hollowbody
i want 22+1/2 ish scale and not much bigger

Just chanced upon this thread - what a great resource!

Thought I might introduce the Greco ES-8 and ES-9 to the conversation. Only just started researching myself, but could well be a more accessible route to resolve '140 GAS.

In between Gibson full and 3/4 scale length by looks of it.

[pingu]

1173241[/URL]]Just chanced upon this thread - what a great resource!

Thought I might introduce the Greco ES-8 and ES-9 to the conversation. Only just started researching myself, but could well be a more accessible route to resolve '140 GAS.

In between Gibson full and 3/4 scale length by looks of it.

they look great but both appear to be
copies of the ES140T the thinner ones

unless you’ve seen any full fat ones around .... ?

[Steve Z]

Here's a new ES-140 video posted the Youtube that I just surfed across...

[Jasonguitar]

This is a super kool forum! if anyone is ever willing to part with a playergrade "2- p90" 140 I hope you'll give me first crack at it. I'm a bit obsessed with vintage mini gibson archtops as you can see here haha

[Jasonguitar]

Wanted to show my vintage Mini's next to a larger box for comparative purposes.

[Steve Z]

Nice "little" collection. It really is amazing how great the ES125 3/4 and the ES140 sound. Not as full and open as their full size counter part, but very nice in a difference way if that makes sense.

Thanks for sharing.