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1965 Gibson Melody Maker

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Serial #: 260029, stamped on peghead Body size at lower bout: 12 1/2" Body depth: 1 3/8" Scale length: 24 3/4'" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/12th frets: .77/.97

Materials: Solid Honduran mahogany body and neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

Hardware: Original hardware includes black PU-380 single coil pickup; nickel 3 on a plate open back tuners, wraparound 'lighningbolt' tailpiece/bridge assembly; contoured black acrylic pickguard. Vintage correct aged black reflector cap knobs.

Notes: Tired of throwing your back out slinging that ten pound Les Paul? Give your shoulders a break with this sprightly powerhouse, at almost half the weight.

Introduced in 1959, Gibson's Melody Maker was a slimmed down version of the popular Les Paul Junior. Like the former, the Melody Maker had a solid Honduran mahogany body, but its shallower depth, slimmer width, and narrow peghead all made for Gibson's lightest solid body guitar ever.

The symmetrical double cutaway body debuted in 1960, and this striking guitar was built in the last year before the body was replaced with an SG style design. Challenging Fender for the entry market, the Melody Maker had a bridge mounted single coil pickup like the Esquire, pickguard mounted electronics like the Strat, and upped the game with premium Gibson quality set neck construction. Simple and elegant, by the end of the '60's this back to basics model had become the single most popular electric guitar in the entire Gibson catalog.

At a scant 5lb 4oz, the instrument is phenomenally light in weight, and deftly balanced on the lap or the strap, with a notably slim depth body that glides under the arm with ease. The PU-380 single coil Alnico bar pickup, originally designed for Gibson's Skylark lap steel, offers excellent clarity and detail, and rolls off to a rich, warm purr. The classic '59 style C profile neck is nicely solid in the hand, with a full 22 frets, generous 1 11/16" nut, and smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.

This fine example has been maintained in great shape, without pick, thumb, or fingerboard wear, and sports all original fretwork in gleaming condition. Original nickel hardware includes open back 3 on a plate tuners, and 'lighningbolt' wraparound tailpiece/bridge, with newer adjustment screws. Some scattered age checking vouches for the originality of the true lacquer dark cherry finish, with a few nicks here and there to show for its long career.

Don't be fooled by its humble design, the Melody Maker has been favored by artists as diverse as Carlos Santana, Billy Gibbons, Joan Jett, Slash and many more, including British legend Hank Marvin. One pickup, two knobs: the rest is up to you. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge nickel roundwound strings. 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 light relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Deluxe black rectangular molded hardshell case.

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