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1966 Gibson Super 400CES
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Serial #: 407452
Body size at lower bout: 18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 9/16"
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched fine grained solid spruce top; figured arched maple back; solid 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 hardware includes twin gold PAF humbucking pickups, original gold reflector cap knobs and three way switch, engraved gold-plated tailpiece, gold Kluson Sealfast tuners, truss rod cover with "Custom" imprint. Compensated adustable ebony bridge.
Notes: If any guitar can truly be said to be fit for a king (or The King, more specifically) then this is it. Built from mid-1960 through mid-1969, the Florentine cutaway Super 400CES was immortalized by guitar legends like Kenny Burrell, Larry Coryell and other star jazzers of the decade. With its extra deep cutaway, this version offered players unparalleled access to the entire range of the fingerboard. Now highly desired by collectors and players alike, the Florentine Super 400 was immortalized by no less a picker than Elvis Presley himself. Playing a sunburst example just like this one (borrowed from his longtime guitarist Scotty Moore) Elvis featured the model prominently on his now-legendary 1968 NBC Comeback Special, forever associating this guitar with the Man From Tupelo.
Inspecting the electronics, we were surprised and delighted to find a pair of original gold Gibson PAF humbucking pickups factory installed, complete with their original Patent Applied For decals. While the last nickel PAFs were pretty well expended by mid-'62, Gibson did retain a small stock of gold PAFs made specifically for their top-line jazz models, including the Byrdland and L-5CES. As production of these premium instruments was so limited, this stock of gold units lasted several years longer than the more common nickel examples. While most references report that the last gold PAFs were gone by 1965, this guitar is proof positive that at least a pair of the famed pickups were kicking around the plant even later. In any case, what is certain is that this historic instrument has to be one of the very last Gibson guitars fitted at the factory with original PAF pickups.
This example is one of only 25 made its model year, and has been preserved in stunning condition, with all original finish, and no cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from a few finish dings, some normal checking and plating wear, she's substantially as she left the Kalamazoo plant over four decades ago, right down to her original black Gibson hardshell case with the yellow plush lining. The neck has a sleek effortless feel, with a fingerboard that glides smoothly through the palm. If you've been coveting the rich tone of a classic jazz box, but never wanted to wrestle with the big clunky neck, this one's for you. She practically plays herself.
Action is smooth and low over freshly dressed fretwork, and the voice is full and lush, as befits an instrument of her imperial pedigree. And best of all, she's a genuine PAF equipped Gibson, at a price considerably lower than a King's ransom. 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 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 black Gibson yellow plush hardshell case.
