Though a thriving market existed for reduced-size acoustic guitars suitable for children and small-handed musicians, no scaled-down electrics were available until the Gibson ES-140 debuted in 1950. The 140 was a three-quarter size version of the ES-175, and had similar equipment.

It went on to sell very well, and was endorsed by the likes of 1950s child star Larry Collins, half of the Oklahoma-based Collins Kids rockability duo.

Earlier ES-140s, such as this one (which dates from 1955), had a 3 3/8-inch body depth (as did the original ES-175), but this was slimmed down to 1 3/4 inches in 1956.

The guitar was the renamed the ES-140T, and was produced in this form until 1968. It has a maple body, with a rosewood bridge and a trapeze tailpiece, to go with a mahogany neck.