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1995 Gibson Citation
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Serial #: 1995004, tan oval Master Model label
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .85/.98
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; highly figured tiger maple back and sides; 5 piece tiger flame neck with walnut centerstripes; solid ebony fingerboard with pearl cloud fingerboard inlay; pearl "fleur-de-lis" inlay with prewar thin script Gibson logo on peghead face and back; deluxe 9-ply body binding, 5-ply peghead and fingerboard binding, 3 ply back binding, triple bound f-holes, solid bone nut.
Hardware: All original 24 carat gold hardware includes engraved trapeze tailpiece; Kluson Sealfast tuners with tulip keys; gold floating Gibson BJB humbucking pickup with volume control and pickguard mounted 1/4" jack; solid ebony bridge with pearl inlay; quintuple-bound flame maple pickguard; pearl truss rod cover.
Notes: The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily flower that appears widely throughout Europe heraldry, particularly in France, and has been found in imagery dating back some two millennia. It's also the symbol of Gibson's most extravagant presentation guitar, appearing from the tuning pegs to the tailpiece, with stops at the peghead (front and back) right down to the bridge foot. You know, a theme.
Introduced in 1969, the Gibson Citation was the most ornate, labor intensive and costly production instrument the firm had ever made. With a staggering $2500 price tag, the guitar was over twice as expensive as the Super 400CN, until then Gibson's top-line acoustic archtop. An ultra-premium, presentation grade instrument, the Citation embodied the highest standards of custom handcrafted luthiery, built with a tap-tuned x-braced top, and extravagantly figured tonewoods. With its rainbow Paua abalone inlay and brilliant 24 carat gold plating, the Citation was the most extravagantly appointed archtop Gibson had made to date.
The initial release produced a scant eight Citation guitars between 1969 and 1971. The extravagant model was reissued between 1979 and 1983, in another run of perhaps a dozen more examples, according to most sources. After a hiatus of almost a decade, the model was revived again in 1993, and has remained in production to the present day, on custom order only.
This striking guitar is carved of rare, ultra-premium tiger flame maple of extraordinary depth and intensity. The pearl fleur-de-lis motif is one of Gibson's most venerable archtop and banjo inlay designs, and is complemented by the clouds in the fingerboard, a tribute to Epiphone's top-line archtops.
Meticulously maintained in museum quality condition, this guitar has 100% original hardware and electronics, and is without apparent playwear of any kind. The gentle D profile neck is slim and inviting, with smooth low action over finely dressed original medium jumbo frets, on a solid ebony fingerboard. The voice of the tap-tuned X-braced soundboard is delightful: clear, woody and deeply resonant, with excellent balance and abundant natural reverb.
A breathtaking masterpiece, this guitar is a spectacular example of Gibson's very best, combining exceptional tone, playability and beauty in one memorable instrument. One only: call now.
Case: Original premium black Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case.
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 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 moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
