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1980 Gibson Super 400C

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Serial #: 81560029, Kalamazoo label

Body size at lower bout:18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid carved bookmatched spruce top; solid carved 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, solid bone nut.

Hardware: All original gold hardware includes engraved trapeze tailpiece, Kluson Sealfast tuners, multi-bound dark tortoise pickguard, compensated adjustable ebony bridge with pearl inlaid foot, Gibson BJB floating humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls, 1/4" jack under pickguard, truss rod cover with "Custom" imprint.

Notes: Built in early June of 1980 in Gibson's original Kalamazoo factory, this gleaming guitar is a true acoustic Super 400, an extremely rare example from an era when almost all Gibson super jumbos were routed for twin pickups, four knobs and a 3 way selector switch. Though production figures are unavailable for 1980 through '84, the year 1979 saw a mere five Super 400C models in sunburst, just a lone example in 1985, two in '86, and none at all through 1993, the last year for which we have numbers.

Maintained in showroom condition, this handsome guitar is finished in a prewar style dark Cremona sunburst lacquer, with all-original gold hardware, including the classic BJB floating humbucking pickup, as seen on the Citation, Kalamazoo Award and other presentation grade models. The solid ebony fingerboard has the full 1 11/16" nut, with a fresh high-precision setup for smooth low action over fine original medium jumbo frets. The neck has the traditional 17 degree headstock angle, happily absent the volute "bump" of earlier '70s examples, and is carved with a gentle medium D profile, elegant and easy in the hand.

The instrument is fitted with the traditional inlaid ebony bridge foot, and is one of the very last equipped with the coveted Kluson Sealfast tuners, now unavailable for over a third of a century. The voice is warm and rich, with the mellow depth that only the super jumbo body can convey. Nestled in its original deluxe Gibson Faultless hardshell case, this rare beauty combines tone, looks and playability in one unforgettable 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 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 (.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 light relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe black arched Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case.

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