1958 Gibson ES-345 Prototype owned by Hank Garland

1958 Gibson ES-345 Prototype– Serial #A29915. As Featured in Vintage Guitar Magazine September 2011. Hank took delivery of this guitar in 1958 as at the time he was helping R&D guitars for Gibson. The guitar has a few unique features that differ from the production model that came out later. Hank eventually had Gibson also add a gold sideways Vibrola and a gold bowtie Bigsby bridge to the guitar. This was Hank’s main studio guitar from 1958 to 1961 and went with him to most sessions. It was used on almost all Elvis Presely sessions from the era, such as the soundtrack to Blue Hawaii and Follow That Dream, as well as big hits by Patsy Cline, The Everly Brothers and most famously “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. Signed by Hank Garland and comes with a notarized COA signed by Hank Garland.

Condition: The guitar is in fantastic cosmetic condition showing only the slightest amount of finish checking with only a few minor scratches that are documented in the photos (mostly the headstock and one area on the back of the neck). Like most guitars of the time the Kluson tuner buttons are showing shrinkage and rot, but can be easily swapped out for newer tuners or the buttons themselves could be replaced. The plastic parts are in great overall condition, with the gold metal parts showing slight wear and some pitting. The guitar features an incredibly thin factory finish and a nice full neck profile.

General: Like Hank's other guitars listed this guitar has been primarily kept in a climate controlled storage unit since Hank's accident in '61. The guitar was only occasionally brought out to show visitors and remains in the same condition as Hank left it in 1961. The strings currently on the guitar were the last set of strings Hank put on the guitar. The guitar comes with an older black Gibson pebble case with yellow lining, as well as the original hang tags, varitone and pickup instructions, a diagram that Hank drew and various older packs of guitar strings that were in the case in 1961.

Delivery: Local pickup only. Pickup to be arranged in the Jacksonville Florida area.