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1995 Triggs Custom "Mundell Lowe"
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SN#: 05950097, signed by the maker
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Materials: Bookmatched arched flame maple body; solid mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; triple bound body, fingerboard and peghead; bound f-holes; bone nut; hand engraved pearl truss rod cover.
Hardware: Hardware includes Byrdland style trapeze tailpiece; black Gotoh 16X1 tuners, solid compensated adjustable ebony bridge with gold Tuneomatic saddle, 7-ply bound ebony deco pickguard, gold adjustable humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls.
Notes: Discovered by John Hammond. Performed with Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Helen Humes, Charlie Mingus, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, and Benny Carter, to name but a few. Veteran player and composer with NBC and CBS orchestras, author of film and TV scores too numerous to mention. Not bad for a kid from Laurel, Mississippi.
Among the most versatile and accomplished guitarists in jazz history, the legendary Mundell Lowe commissioned this instrument for his re-activated concert career in the 1990's. And who more fitting for the project than the former head of Gibson's Custom Shop himself, Jim Triggs? Hand built to Lowe's specifications, this handsome guitar has the Venetian cutaway body and parallel bracing of the legendary Gibson archtops of the 40's and 50's. Built from tiger flamed arched maple, the 16" full-depth body is built of lightweight laminate to enhance sustain and feedback resistance. The solid ebony fingerboard has elegant Super 400 split block inlays, and the bound ebony pickguard is a tribute to the legendary D'Angelicos of the 1950's.
The guitar is in superb condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and at just 5lb. 10oz. is notably lightweight and comfortable on the lap or strap. Long scale 16" guitars are not easy to find, and the additional tension gives excellent snap, with a classic blend of warmth and depth. The neck profile is a slim gentle "D", pure delight in the hand with its nicely radiused fingerboard, and slim low action over freshly dressed medium jumbo frets. A recent set of sealed black Gotoh 16X1 tuners has been installed. This extraordinary guitar has been featured on a number of Mundell Lowe's concerts and recordings, one of which is included with the instrument, along with a copy of an autographed photo of him in performance with the guitar, shown below. A glorious result of the creative collaboration of two superlative talents.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings (.013-.056), and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.
Case: Original deluxe arched plush hardshell case.
