1998 Gibson Tal Farlow, Artist Owned

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Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Tiger flame maple top, back and sides; three-piece solid maple neck with adjustable truss rod; solid rosewood fingerboard and compensated bridge; mother of pearl fingerboard and peghead inlay; triple bound body; bound headstock, fingerboard, pickguard and f-holes

Hardware: 100 % original nickel plated hardware includes twin '57 Classic PAF style humbucking pickups, Grover Rotomatic tuners and custom rosewood and pearl inlaid tailpiece; adjustable Tuneomatic compensated bridge; bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Talmadge Farlow came from humble roots in North Carolina to become one of the most accomplished and admired guitarists in jazz history. Combining blinding speed with his extraordinary reach, Tal pushed the limits of the instrument to the scariest of bop tempos. Throughout the 50's Tal played the popular ES-350 model, a long scale guitar dimensionally identical to the L-5CES, but with a laminated flame maple body for greater feedback resistance.

In consultation with Tal, Gibson updated the ES-350 in 1962 with humbucking pickups, ornate woods, and custom inlays drawn from the J-200 and other classic models. Christened the Tal Farlow Model, this guitar became an instant classic. Produced in small numbers, the Tal Farlow remains one of Gibson's most collectible Artist Models, with demand for the originals so strong that Gibson revived the Farlow in 1993, though production has remained intermittent and very limited.

Unlike many celebrity endorsers, Tal actually performed and recorded with his namesake model, and this remarkable instrument is the last that Gibson built for him personally over the course of his long career. Gibson's Custom Shop spared no expense for its celebrity clients, and this guitar is no exception. Shipped to Tal just months before his passing, this spectacular instrument is built of intensely figured 3D tiger flame maple, highlighted by a subtle ice tea sunburst, with vintage style all nickel hardware, and multi-color pearl inlay throughout.

Preserved in immaculate condition, the guitar is 100% original, and free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. With a fresh, high-precision setup the instrument has smooth low action over a gentle C profile neck. The '57 Classic PAF humbucking pickups are sweet and detailed, and the body has excellent sustain and feedback resistance. This historic instrument is supplied its original Custom Shop case, with a letter of authentication from the factory. Remarkably, even the original factory shipping carton remains in excellent condition, incuding Tal's personal invoice, still affixed to the lid.

Elegant, handsome and a brilliant performer, Tals' Last Tal is a fitting tribute to a beloved jazz legend. 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 nickel 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.