Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips
archtop.com
1976 Gibson Super 400CESN
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: 00100534, back of peghead
Body size at lower bout: 18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16'
Materials: Solid carved bookmatched Sitka spruce top; solid figured maple back, rock maple sides, tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard and peghead inlay; 5-ply body, neck, head and pickguard binding, bound f-holes, solid bone nut.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin Patent sticker humbucking pickups; engraved trapeze tailpiece; Kluson Sealfast tuners. Original inlaid ebony bridge; 3 position pickup selector switch, truss rod cover with "Custom" imprint. Vintage correct 5 ply tortoise pickguard and hand-antiqued gold Gibson reflector cap knobs installed.
Notes: Introduced in 1934, the Super 400 was the pinnacle of the Gibson line, the largest and most expensive production guitar of its era. The electric CES version made its debut in 1951, and is currently available on custom order only. Never in mass production, this rare blonde beauty is one of just 21 examples of its type produced in its model year.
A wonderful find, this handsome instrument has been kept in superb condition, with all-original natural blonde finish, now aged to a warm amber, without pick, thumb, fingerboard wear. Even the typical weather checking often seen in an instrument of this vintage is happily absent. Apart from a few random nicks and a bit of tarnish on the pickup covers, the guitar shows few signs of play altogether.
The neck is graced with tiger flame of exceptional depth, and the soundboard is bookmatched of fine grained solid quartersawn Sitka spruce, with traditional parallel bracing. The ebony fingerboard is flawless and straight, with fine original medium jumbo frets, and the multi-ply binding is all original and tight to the body. The neck is a marvel of comfort, with a full width 1 11/16" nut; a comfy, gentle D profile, and no-volute headstock with traditional 17 degree angle.
The original black Gibson Faultless hardshell case has been carefully maintained as well, with its deep purple plush lining and silver Gibson logo on the lid. A magnificent player with the huge, fat tone only the Big Body can produce, this stunning guitar is gig-ready for that classic Kenny Burrell sound. 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 flatwound 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: Original Gibson logo black arched plush lined hardshell case.
