Silver Lake Vintage Guitars

1956 ES-5N Switchmaster Blonde

1956 ES-5N Switchmaster Blonde ( First Variant )

Here we have a stunning and rare 1956 Gibson ES-5N Switchmaster in Blonde.
The ES-5 model was originally introduced by Gibson in 1949 and was equipped with three P90 pickups and an individual tone control for each pickup. The second variant of the ES-5 was introduced in July 1955 and model features individual volume and tone controls for each pickup and a revolutionary 4-way selector switch which activates each of the three pickups individually or selects the three of them together. Thus the “Switchmaster” name.

Records show that in 1955 just seven Switchmasters were initially shipped by Gibson, and these were all Sunburst models. The Switchmaster was not shipped in quantity until 1956 when we saw the introduction of the beautiful Blonde ES-5N Switchmaster model. Just 39 blonde ES-5N’s were shipped in 1956 and a further 30 ES-5N’s were shipped in 1957.

Late 1957 saw the introduction of the three PAF humbucker version of the Switchmaster which replaced the three P90 model. The precise breakdown of the P90 and PAF humbucker models produced in 1957 is unknown, but it is estimated that only around 60 blonde P90 Switchmasters were ever produced making this an exceptionally rare and desirable guitar indeed!  

This is possibly one of the very first blonde Switchmasters produced by Gibson and most likely a transitional model. It has a 1955 Factory Order Number (FON W32508) and the 1955 spec trapeze tailpiece implying it was produced in 1955 and shipped in early 1956. This guitar is in fantastic condition with minimum playing wear.
The ES-5N was constructed with a laminated maple top, back and sides, two-piece maple neck, round venetian cutaway, gold plated hardware and individual Kluson Super tuners with plastic keys.

Gibson had innovation at the heart of its guitar design and was always trying to anticipate the needs of musicians and the progress of the music industry. You only have to look at all the various models the Gibson designers produced over the years. For example, the Lloyd Loar L5 in the 1920's, the Les Paul Goldtop Standard in 1952 sporting the long trapeze tailpiece which was seen earlier on the ES-225 from the 1940's which was in itself the first thinline semi acoustic later to become the blueprint for its 3 series guitars, the ES 335/45/55, Byrdland, and so on. Just think what people would have said when the Explorer and Flying V appeared in music shops in 1958.

With the Switchmaster Gibson wanted to build on the ES-5’s three P90's and turn it into the "ultimate session guitar” with the most tonal variety possible. Having individual tone and volume controls for each of the three pickups with a master sliding switch to isolate each pickup and the option to be able to select all three pickups together offered a wide palate of tonal variations. It was once said "you need a pilot’s licence to play a Switchmaster"

If you have ever had the chance to play one of these amazing guitars you will surely agree that you can get any tone that you want from it. With musicians and writers having a recording studio in their laptop all you need is a Switchmaster and its "Happy Days"