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1964 Gibson Super 400C
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Serial #: 65078, orange oval label
Body size at lower bout:18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 10/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .80/.97
Materials: All carved bookmatched solid spruce soundboard; highly figured tiger flame maple back, neck and sides; solid ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard and peghead inlay; 5-ply body, neck, head and pickguard binding, triple bound f-holes.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes engraved trapeze tailpiece, Kluson Sealfast tuners, truss rod cover with "Custom" imprint. Vintage correct bound brown swirl tortoise pickguard, with volume control and endpin jack, vintage DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief floating pickup. Gibson compensated adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid base.
Notes: One of just 12 all-acoustic Super 400s made in its model year, this magnificent guitar is far rarer than the electric Super 400CES versions, which outnumber the acoustic models almost 4 to 1 that year. With a subtle classic sunburst finish, this striking instrument shows brilliant tiger-flame highlights in the back, sides and neck, and fine bookmatched grain in the solid carved spruce soundboard.
The instrument is carved of exceptionally fine fiddleback maple, masterfully bookmatched with dramatic symmetry. Pro played and well maintained, the guitar has all-original finish, and shows no cracks or structural repairs. Some smooth thumbwear is a clue to its long career, as well as to its full, throaty acoustic voice, played in over decades on the bandstand. Playwear elsewhere is light, with a few scattered finish nicks and some superficial buckle denting on the back, all well short of the finish. The original gold hardware includes the engraved trapeze tailpiece with Vari-Tone adjuster, and ultra-premium Kluson Sealfast tuners, now long unavailable.
The neck is fast and easy, ideal for the player unwilling to wrestle with the clubby necks common on older examples of the model. With an elegant D profile, effortless in the hand, the neck has smooth low action over fine pro fretwork, with a fresh high-precision setup. The ebony fingerboard shows no divots, and the neck is free of the volute "bump" seen in some later years.
The voice of this instrument is clear and open, with deep resonance in the bass, and sparkling natural reverb in the treble register. A special plus is the vintage DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief floating pickup, renowned for its detail and acoustic fidelity.
A particularly handsome example of Gibson's top-line guitar, as rare as it is compelling in appearance and performance. 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 nickel roundwound 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: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
