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Gibson 1954 Super 300

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Serial #: A-17309, white oval label

Body size at lower bout: 18". Scale length: 25.5" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

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 hardware includes compensated rosewood bridge; nickel trapeze tailpiece and pickguard support. Vintage correct beveled 5 ply pickguard and hand-antiqued nickel Kluson style single ring no-line tuners.

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 1954 is one of only 16 made in its model year, and is surely one of the finer specimens of this model to be found today.

An exceptional example, with a soundboard carved of finely bookmatched quartersawn spruce, the maple back interlaced with bubble maple figure, and the sides and neck graced with vivid tiger flame. The guitar is in wonderful condition, and the original tobacco sunburst finish is without pick, buckle or thumbwear. The body shows no cracks and only very light normal finish checking: the neck profile is a gentle C, and the action is smooth and low. A discreet black strap pin has been added to the heel, moved from a position immediately nearby.

The instrument is exceptionally light in weight, just 5lb 13oz, phenomenal for a guitar of its size, and the voice is simply magnificent: deep, rich, clear and profoundly resonant. A special touch are the custom L-5 block inlays in the fingerboard, factory installed along with the original narrow Gibson frets, still showing binding nibs at their ends.

An outstanding example of one of Gibson's rarest birds, this working man's Super 400 combines extraordinary tone and playability with exceptional collectibility.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as necessary; 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-.057). 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 brown Gibson deluxe hardshell case with pink plush lining.

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