Silver Lake Vintage Guitars

1961 Gibson ES-5N Blonde Switchmaster

1961 Gibson ES-5N Blonde Switchmaster

Introduced in mid-1949 the ES-5 saw Gibson offer a semi acoustic model with three black plastic-covered P90 pickups and 4-control circuity with individual volume controls for each pickup and a master tone control on the cutaway bout. Gibson called it " the supreme electronic version” of the famed L5.

In mid-1955 it was renamed the ES-5 Switchmaster and given separate tone and volume controls for each pickup and a four- way sliding selector switch positioned on the cutaway bout. This allowed each pickup to be selected individually or all three together. A fancier multi-loop tailpiece was also adopted. The new PAF humbucker pickups were stock by the end of 1957.

The 1960 Gibson catalogue was the last to include the Switchmaster. Like earlier versions it had a round or Venetian cutaway.

One of the very last Switchmaster's made was a very rare model with a Florentine (sharp) cutaway, a feature that distinguished similar Gibsons (L5-CES, Super 400) beginning in late 1960. The Switchmaster did not appear in the 1962 catalogue. (Courtesy of Tom Wheeler - American Guitars An Illustrated History)

Records show that only 11 ES-5N Blonde Switchmaster's were shipped in 1961. How many were Florentine (sharp) cutaway models is not known but according to logic as all previous models had round cutaway's and there were only 11 shipped in 1961 it’s safe to say there can only be a handful of sharp cutaway Blonde Switchmasters ever made.

This guitar is in fabulous all original condition with a highly figured maple top and back and with three solder intact PAF humbuckers.  The pickup covers do show some natural wear to the gold plating but are original to the guitar as are the tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece. The guitar retains its original brown, burgundy-lined Lifton case which is also in good original condition. Plus, it has that wonderful 61 Gibson neck!!