Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into the world of timeless tone and vintage vibe with the Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar. A hallmark of the electric guitar's golden era, the ES-250 is a semi-hollowbody that marries aesthetics with acoustics, offering a sound that is both warm and articulate. This iconic instrument is crafted with a laminated maple body and a spruce top, ensuring a rich resonance that players have cherished for decades. The single Charlie Christian pickup, renowned for its smooth and creamy sound, delivers a robust signal perfect for jazz, blues, and rock enthusiasts alike.

The Gibson ES-250 features a rosewood fingerboard that offers a comfortable playing experience, while the trapeze tailpiece and adjustable bridge provide superior sustain and intonation. Whether you're strumming complex chords or crafting intricate solos, this guitar is designed to respond to your every nuance. Its elegant binding and classic F-holes add a touch of sophistication to its aesthetic appeal, making it not just a musical instrument but a work of art.

For those seeking a guitar that bridges the gap between the past and the present, the Gibson ES-250 is a masterful choice. Its legacy is not just in its craftsmanship but in the countless musicians it has inspired.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design with laminated maple body and spruce top
  • Single Charlie Christian pickup for smooth, creamy tones
  • Rosewood fingerboard for comfort and playability
  • Trapeze tailpiece and adjustable bridge for enhanced sustain
  • Classic F-holes and elegant binding for aesthetic appeal

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-250
Finish Natural, Sunburst
Year 1939 - 1940
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Non Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-250
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What is the body material of the Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar?

The Gibson ES-250 features a hollow body made from maple, which contributes to its warm, resonant tone ideal for jazz and blues genres.

How many frets does the Gibson ES-250 have?

The Gibson ES-250 is equipped with 20 frets, offering a traditional range suitable for a variety of playing styles.

What type of neck construction does the Gibson ES-250 have?

The Gibson ES-250 features a set-neck construction, providing enhanced sustain and stability compared to bolt-on necks.

What type of pickup configuration is found on the Gibson ES-250?

The Gibson ES-250 has a single pickup configuration, which is typical for early electric guitars and contributes to its classic tone.

Is the Gibson ES-250 suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the Gibson ES-250's hollow body and warm tonal characteristics make it particularly well-suited for jazz music.

Julian Lage

Julian Lage

Julian Lage - "Seven Come Eleven" on Charlie Christian's 1940 Gibson ES-250

Video thumbnail for Julian Lage - "Seven Come Eleven" on Charlie Christian's 1940 Gibson ES-250 by Julian Lage

Julian Lage - "Seven Come Eleven" on Charlie Christian's 1940 Gibson ES-250

Julian Lage

Julian Lage

Video thumbnail for Brian Setzer Plays Charlie Christian's Rare 1940 Gibson by Brian Setzer

Brian Setzer Plays Charlie Christian's Rare 1940 Gibson

Brian Setzer

Brian Setzer

Video thumbnail for SUPER RARE 1940 Gibson ES-250 "Charlie Christian" Demo by Billy O's Dynamite Music

SUPER RARE 1940 Gibson ES-250 "Charlie Christian" Demo

Billy O's Dynamite Music

Billy O's Dynamite Music

Video thumbnail for Demystifying the Charlie Christian pickup - Gibson ES-250 example! by Mike’s Arch Angels

Demystifying the Charlie Christian pickup - Gibson ES-250 example!

Mike’s Arch Angels

Mike’s Arch Angels

Video thumbnail for Thankful at Thanksgiving for this special Gibson ES-250 from 1940. Darn that Dream. by Mike’s Arch Angels

Thankful at Thanksgiving for this special Gibson ES-250 from 1940. Darn that Dream.

Mike’s Arch Angels

Mike’s Arch Angels

Video thumbnail for Charlie Christian “Trinity” comparison. ES-250, 1947 L5C, 1938 Kalamazoo. Gibson “gold” :) Enjoy! by Mike’s Arch Angels

Charlie Christian “Trinity” comparison. ES-250, 1947 L5C, 1938 Kalamazoo. Gibson “gold” :) Enjoy!

Mike’s Arch Angels

Mike’s Arch Angels

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-250 restored! From a horrible 60’s clown burst and mini-hum install to Gibson Black! by Mike’s Arch Angels

Gibson ES-250 restored! From a horrible 60’s clown burst and mini-hum install to Gibson Black!

Mike’s Arch Angels

Mike’s Arch Angels

Reviews

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how T-Bone Walker uses Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar

T-Bone Walker

Guitarist

T-Bone Walker Quintet

...
Verified via Photo

The most notable proponent of the ES-250 was the influential guitarist T-Bone Walker, who used it throughout the 1940s and early 1950s on many landmark electric blues recordings. It was also seen in the hands of Charlie Christian, Alvino Rey and Tony Mottola during the forties. The ES-250, case, cord and the matching EH-185 amplifier cost $250 in 1940.

http://www.riffinteractive.com/lesson.aspx?dir=wolfmarshall/history-of-the-electric-guitar/es250_1

See how Vincent Gallo uses Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar

Vincent Gallo

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Vincent can be seen playing a Gibson ES-250 in this photo.

See how Tal Farlow uses Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar

Tal Farlow

Guitarist

Great Guitars

...
Verified via GuitarPlayer.com

In 1945, when he was gigging around the East Coast of the U.S. with pianist Dardanelle Hadley’s trio—and absorbing, in person at various New York City nightclubs, the bebop innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie that would deeply influence his playing style—Farlow bought his first of many Gibson guitars, a 1939 ES-250 with a chocolate brown/golden sunburst finish and one Charlie Christian–style bar pickup in the neck position. This was the guitar that Farlow would play on all the hallowed trio recordings he cut in 1950 and 1951 with Norvo and bassist Charles Mingus. But by the time that happened, the 250 had undergone significant alterations by Los Angeles luthier Milt Owen, at its owner’s request.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-250 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson ES-140
Gibson ES-140 Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Walter Woods Min Amp 1
Walter Woods Min Amp 1 Bass Amplifier Heads
1
Gibson ES-350 Electric Guitar
Gibson ES-350 Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Boss OC-2 Octaver
Boss OC-2 Octaver Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1

More Gibson Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides