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1969 Gibson Super 400C
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Serial #: 809987, orange oval label
Body size at lower bout:18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .79/.93
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, bound brown swirl tortoise pickguard, compensated adjustable ebony bridge, truss rod cover with "Custom" imprint. Vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard
Notes: One of just 33 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 light cherry sunburst finish, this babied instrument shows brilliant tiger-flame highlights in the back, sides and neck, and fine bookmatched grain in the solid carved spruce soundboard.
Maintained in museum-quality condition, the guitar has all-original hardware and finish, and is remarkably free of checking in the lacquer. Without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, this gleaming guitar has all gold hardware, including the engraved gold trapeze tailpiece with Vari-Tone adjuster, and ultra-premium Kluson Sealfast tuners, now long unavailable. Apart from a bit of tarnish on the tailpiece, and a few incidental finish nicks, the instrument shows few signs of age altogether.
Happily, the neck has the full width 1 11/16" nut, with an elegant slim D profile, simply effortless in the hand. The ebony fingerboard is flawless and ramrod straight, with smooth low action over fine original medium jumbo frets, with a fresh high-precision setup. The neck has the standard 17 degree headstock angle and is absent the volute "bump" of some later examples.
The voice of this instrument is clear and open, with exceptional resonance in the bass and sparkling natural reverb in the treble register. This rare beauty combines tone, looks and playability in one outstanding package. 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 wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge 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 moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Deluxe brown Lifton plushlined hardshell case.
