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1961 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster #A36092

This rare Gibson archtop was one of eleven natural ES-5 Switchmasters made in 1961. The ES-5 (ES standing for “Electric Spanish”) was renamed the ES-5 Switchmaster in 1956 with



This rare Gibson archtop was one of eleven natural ES-5 Switchmasters made in 1961. The ES-5 (ES standing for “Electric Spanish”) was renamed the ES-5 Switchmaster in 1956 with the introduction of the new 4-way pickup selector switch, labeled “1, 2, 3, ALL” and a Telecaster-style switch tip. Three individual tone knobs were added alongside three volume controls, allowing for precise control of the three PAF humbucking pickups that replaced the P-90 pickups used on pre- 1957 models. 1961 also introduced the sharp single cutaway found on the ES-5 Switchmaster’s body. A maple plywood top and strong internal bracing was used to limit feedback and increase durability.

This Switchmaster’s serial number can be located on an orange label inside the body’s bass-side bound f-hole. The ES-5 Switchmaster also features a pointed-end rosewood fingerboard with 5-ply binding, large block fingerboard inlays, single bound pegheads with crown peghead inlay, goldplated components, including a gold Tuneo- matic ABR bridge and a three-piece neck consisting of two pieces of maple with a thin layer of wood between them. This Switchmaster has a Bigsby vibrato and Grover tuners along with the brown Lifton hardshell case. Gibson’s ES-5 Switchmaster was discontinued 1962.





Dave''s Guitar Shop
Daves Roger’s Collection Is tended to by Laun Braithwaite & Tim Mullally
All photos credit Tim Mullally
Dave’s Collection is on dispay at:
Dave''s Guitar Shop
1227 Third Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-7704
davesguitar.com