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2005 Gibson Master 400CES
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Serial #: 20065003, orange label; Master Model label signed by James Hutchins, dated December 7th, 2004
Body size at lower bout: 18" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .73/.91, 1st/10th frets.
Finish: Sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; highly figured tiger flame maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard and peghead inlay; 5-ply body, neck, head and pickguard binding, bound f-holes, bone nut.
Hardware: All original gold hardware, including engraved trapeze tailpiece; Kluson Sealfast style 16:1 tuners; adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid base; bound tortoise pickguard; '57 Classic PAF humbucking pickups with gold bell volume and tone controls. Additional original gold Tuneomatic bridge included.
Notes: The Gibson Super 400 model has been the flagship of the line since 1935, the largest and most costly production guitar since its introduction. The cutaway version debuted in 1939, the electric model (CES) in 1951, and humbucking pickups made their first appearance in 1957. The pinnacle of Gibson craftsmanship, the Super 400 has remained atop the catalog continuously to this day.
Completed under the supervision of celebrated Gibson luthier Jim Hutchins in late 2004, this handsome instrument was shipped early the following year. With its gorgeous Cremona sunburst finish, this guitar shows deep tiger-flame figure in its three-piece neck, and extravagantly figured fiddleback flame in the solid Bigleaf maple back and sides. The soundboard is carved to exceptionally fine tolerances, and is beautifully bookmatched of solid carved spruce with exceptionally tight grain, interleaved with abundant crossgrain silk.
All original gold hardware includes the '57 Classic PAF humbuckers, engraved trapeze tailpiece, and Kluson Sealfast style tuners with smooth 16:1 gears. (These art-deco tuning machines are so limited in production that the Super 4 is the only model still fitted with them.) The neck is exceptionally comfy, with a slim, elegant D profile, and smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.
Carefully maintained, the instrument shows minimal playwear, confined to a bit of scuffing on the neck pickup, a few incidental finish nicks, and a small patch of thumb wear at mid-neck. A classic performer with the warm, buttery tone only the big body can produce, this guitar makes an spectacular presence on any bandstand. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings, and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" 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.
Case: Original black Gibson logo premium arched green velour lined hardshell case.
