Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Gibson ETU - 3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case - Mahar's Vintage Guitars

Gibson

Gibson ETU-3 Electric Tenor Ukulele – 1949 First Year Model with Original Case

$7,499.99
$7,499.99
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No sales tax for customers outside California.

This rare Gibson ETU-3 Electric Tenor Ukulele from 1949 represents the first production year of this innovative model. Combining Gibson’s craftsmanship with early electric amplification, the ETU-3 is a piece of history for both ukulele and electric instrument collectors.

In 1949, Gibson started installing smaller versions of its magnetic pickups on their model TU tenor ukes. The ETU-1 became the world’s first electrically amplified acoustic ukulele (they also produced and ETU-3, which had the same pickup and features of the ETU-1, but sported a triple-bound body). Unlike Gibson’s standard tenors, ETU ukes were strung with metal strings, which made them sound more like electric guitars than acoustic ukes. Clearly, they were never very popular: Gibson produced only about 88 ETUs between 1949 and 1953. surviving examples are incredibly scarce.

This example is in amazing cosmetic condition.  The fretboard looks untouched, and the same goes for the frets.  The uke is crack and repair free.  I've seen a few sold examples of the ETU, and each listing mentioned that a neck reset would be needed for ideal playability.  That is the case with this instrument.  It can be played in the lower register however.

The strings are old.  I'm thinking they might be original.  The pickup works great.  The tone potentiometer spins completely.  Due to the complete originality of this instrument I am going to leave everything as-is.

You're going to love this amazing piece!

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, we provide high-resolution photos, expert verification, and professional descriptions to ensure your confidence when buying rare vintage instruments.

Check out our extensive acoustic instrument offerings:

Specs:

  • Color: Natural 
  • Weight: 1lb 7oz
  • Top: Honduran Mahogany
  • Body: Honduran Mahogany
  • Neck: Honduran Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Rosewood
  • Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
  • Frets: Original
  • Fret Count: 18
  • Nut Material: Original Bone
  • Nut Width: 1-3/8"
  • Scale: 17"
  • Overall Length: 24-11/16"
  • Body Length: 11-7/8"
  • Body Depth @ Edge: 3"
  • Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: .69"
  • Neck Thickness At 5th Fret: .69"
  • Action 1st String @ 12th Fret: 5/32"
  • Action 4th String @ 12th Fret: 5/32"
  • Pickup: Original P-90 style
  • Pickup Reading: 4.33k
  • Bridge: Original
  • Tuners: Original
  • Case: Original
  • Notes: Tone knob/pot do not work. Volume is fine. 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.   

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