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1958 Gibson Super 400CESN

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Serial #: A-26895 FON#: U2736-9

Body size at lower bout: 18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched fine grained solid carved spruce top; figured solid maple back and sides; solid tiger flame maple neck; ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard and peghead inlay; 5-ply body, neck, head and pickguard binding, triple bound f-holes, polished bone nut.

Hardware: Original gold Kluson Sealfast tuners, engraved trapeze tailpiece, and truss rod cover. Twin Pat. # humbucking pickups, gold reflector cap knobs; compensated adjustable gold ABR-1 wired Tuneomatic bridge with Brazilian rosewood base; vintage correct 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Introduced in 1934, the Super 400 is the pinnacle of the Gibson line, the largest and most expensive production guitar of its era. The cutaway version made its debut in 1939, and the first electric model, the Super 400CES, arrived in 1951, equipped with twin P-90 single coil pickups. Alnico V pickups were introduced in 1955, and Gibson's famed Patent Applied For humbucking pickups were added to the model in late 1957.

One of just 15 examples from its model year, and a factory order # from late 1957, this impressive guitar would have been one of the very first to be fitted with Gibson's new humbucking pickups. (While Gibson's famously casual labeling indicates only 'Super 400C' inside, an examination of the soundboard shows the guitar was factory-braced as a CES, and not a conversion.) With all-carved construction, the guitar has a full width 1 11/16" ebony fingerboard, and original gold Kluson Sealfast tuners and engraved trapeze tailpiece. Refitted in the 60's with Pat # pickups and gold reflector cap knobs, the guitar appears to have been given a deep ebony lacquer finish at that time as well.

The guitar shows no cracks, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and only light normal playwear, with some incidental scattered checking consistent with a nicely aged true nitro finish some half a century old. (The classic cigarette burn on the peghead binding suggests an instrument with a long and colorful professional career as well.) Smooth low action over fine original frets, with an easy light D neck profile and fresh high precision setup. The voice is buttery and full, with smooth, warm response from the twin vintage Gibson Pat # humbuckers.

The strap pin was moved from the neck heel to the heelcap long ago, and a vintage correct 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard installed. Nestled in her original deluxe hardshell case, she's a true best buy for the serious player looking for true vintage tone and feel, with a price from the past as well. 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 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: Original deluxe Gibson Faultless black arched hardshell case with gold plush lining.

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