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Serial #: 23211002, orange Custom Shop label. Brown oval inspection label signed by Jim Hutchins, November 12th, 2001.
Finish: Vintage sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Body size at lower bout:17" Body depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"'
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid quartersawn Sitka spruce top; solid carved AAA tiger maple back and sides; 3 piece tiger flame neck with walnut centerstripes; solid ebony fingerboard with Super 400 style block fingerboard inlay; Super 400 style split diamond peghead with Gibson logo and block-and-wedges inlay on the back; deluxe 7-ply body binding, 5-ply peghead and fingerboard binding, 3 ply back binding, bound f-holes, solid bone nut.
Hardware: 100% original hardware includes gold adjustable finger tailpiece; solid ebony bridge with pearl inlay in base; gold Gibson Deluxe tuners; gold floating Gibson BJB humbucking pickup with volume control and endpin jack; quintuple-bound tortoise pickguard; engraved truss rod cover.
Notes: Introduced in 1993, Gibson's Le Grand model draws inspiration from the two most highly prized archtops of the 20th century. The direct successor to the legendary Johnny Smith model, the LeGrande features the comfy, slightly slimmed 3" body, and warm, X-braced soundboard of its famed predecessor. And from the classic L-5, the Le Grand borrows the long 25 1/2" scale for snap and projection, as well as the nimble 1 11/16" fingerboard. The result is an instrument that combines the best of Gibson's most influential acoustic archtop guitars.
This stunning example is crafted from exceptionally vibrant tiger flame maple, chevron bookmatched on the back, sides and neck. The solid quartersawn Sitka spruce soundboard is so finely grained that the annular rings are virtually invisible at the centerseam. The gleaming gold hardware is 100% original, and includes the adjustable finger tailpiece, tune-o-matic bridge, and classic BJB floating humbucking pickup, as used on the Citation, Kalamazoo Award and other ultra-premium Gibson archtops. Even the fingerboard inlays command attention, with technicolor Paua abalone inserts bisecting creamy white pearl borders.
Lovingly maintained, the guitar is free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and sports a gorgeous traditional Cremona sunburst finish. Action is smooth and low over a gentle D profile neck, with fine high original medium jumbo fretwork on a solid ebony fingerboard. The voice is rich and elegant, with the warmth and sustain one expects from a finely carved, tap-tuned X-braced soundboard.
Produced in vanishingly small numbers, the Le Grand is rarely seen on the vintage market, and at this writing has been withdrawn from production altogether. A rare opportunity for player and collector alike, complete with all factory paperwork and Certificate of Authenticity. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned and polished;
trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge
compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as
necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge
radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated;
fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.056).
The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according
to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th
fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The
action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable
bridge.
Case: Original black Gibson logo arched plushlined hardshell case.
