The ES-250 first appeared in the 1940 Gibson AA catalog with the slogan: "Gibson has created the best electric guitar possible to make." This top-of-the-line instrument was an upgraded version of the popular ES-150. It had significant refinements which distinguished it from the earlier mid-range model. These included a larger body, a more deluxe fingerboard, headstock, tuners and tailpiece, and a bar pickup with individual mini-blades acting as separate polepieces for each string--for "maximum tonal reproduction."

Guitar Features: ES 250

	17" hollow body
	Charlie Christian pickup (six blade)
	two knobs (volume, tone)
	plate tailpiece w/raised diamond
	triple-bound pickguard
	spruce top
	carved maple back
	sunburst top
	brown finish side and back
	slender f-holes
	ebony adjustable bridge
	white ivoroid binding
	nickel tuners with ivory heads on fancy headstock
	Gibson adjustable truss rod neck
	19 frets with open book inlays

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.