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Gibson 1953 Super 300

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Serial #: A-12860, white oval label FON#: Z420-11

Body size at lower bout: 18". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .090/1.00

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid bookmatched birdseye maple back and sides; maple neck with walnut centerstripe; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; mother of pearl block double parallelogram fingerboard inlay, crown peghead inlay and pearl Gibson logo; three-ply top binding, bound headstock, neck and back; original bone nut.

Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes S-400 style trapeze tailpiece; Kluson Deluxe tuners with single-ring tulip keys, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge. Vintage style triple bound Super 400 style dark tortoise pickguard. Archtop Acoustic soundboard pickup, with 1/4" endpin jack.

Notes: One of the rarest models in the Gibson catalog, the Super 300 was introduced in 1948 and discontinued just seven years later in 1955. During its short career, only a little over 200 Super 300's were produced in total. Structurally identical to the ornate Super 400, the Super 3 offered top-of-the line super jumbo performance with more understated trim. This example from 1953 is one of only 26 made in its model year, and has the wide open resonance of fine tonewood aged for almost seven decades.

With a soundboard carved of finely bookmatched quartersawn spruce, this handsome guitar has a solid maple back interlaced with bubble figure, with sides and neck of vivid tiger flame. The guitar is in fine shape, and the original tobacco sunburst finish is without pick, buckle or thumbwear. The nickel hardware is all original, and all binding is tight to the body. The body shows no cracks and only very light normal finish checking, with a few finish dings touched up on the soundboard.

The classic C neck profile is solid but not clubby or veed, and the action is smooth and low, with a fresh high precision setup over fine original fretwork. The voice is simply magnificent: deep, rich, clear and profoundly resonant, with exceptional projection and headroom to burn. A special plus is the Archtop Acoustic soundboard pickup positioned under the bridge foot, with 1/4" endpin jack, an exceptionally faithful system for amplifying the instrument, without impeding the acoustic response of the soundboard.

An outstanding example of one of Gibson's rarest birds, this working player's Super 4 combines extraordinary tone and elegant playability. One only: call now.

Setup: 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 bronze strings (.013) and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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: Brown Lifton arched hardshell case with plush lining.

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