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1959 Gibson Super 400C

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Serial #: A-29104 FON#: U8768-8

Body size at lower bout: 18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Body depth: 3 1/4"

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched fine grained solid carved spruce top; figured solid carved fiddleback 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.

Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes engraved art deco trapeze tailpiece, Kluson Sealfast tuners, bound truss rod cover, compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, Gibson 107-DCG double 'McCarty' floating pickup 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 Super 400C has always been built in vanishingly small numbers: this exceptional instrument is one of a mere 16 examples shipped in its model year, and would certainly have to be among the finest surviving specimens of its year. (To underscore just how few of these models were built, the factory order number indicates that this guitar was actually started in 1957, but not shipped until two years later, when the label was finally affixed.)

Babied since new, this stunning guitar been maintained in superb condition, with all original finish and hardware. Remarkably free of playwear, the gleaming sunburst finish is masterfully shaded, showing only the lightest wisps of normal finish checking. Apart from some a few tiny lacquer nicks, the instrument looks much as it did when it left Kalamazoo over half a century ago.

With a bookmatched, quartersawn soundboard of solid carved spruce, this guitar shows handsome figure in the solid carved maple back and sides, and a dramatic 3 piece tiger flame neck with walnut centerstripe. The neck has a comfy full C profile, and a solid ebony fingerboard that glides smoothly under the fingers with a fresh high precision setup over fine original frets.

The voice is incomparably rich and luxuriant, as befits an instrument of its imperial pedigree, with a buttery warmth unique to the super jumbo body design. Deep and clear, the response is evenly balanced across the entire fingerboard, from sweet warm comping to brilliant solo passages. A wonderful plus is the original double 'McCarty' floating pickup pickguard, with separate volume controls for each pickup, a master tone controls and a 1/4" jack mounted under the pickguard. With classic P-90 tone, the McCarty guard is clear, detailed and remarkably faithful to the buttery acoustic voice of this magnificent instrument.

Nestled in her exquisite original Lifton Faultless 'California Girl' case, she's one of the rarest and most coveted models Gibson ever produced: an incomparable find for player and collector alike. 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 .070" to .080" 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 Lifton Faultless arched hardshell case with pink plush lining.

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