There are few guitars as important to the history and development of Gibson as a major manufacturer of six-stringed instruments as the Super 400 and Super 400-CES. The model first appeared in 1934 as an archtop acoustic with no cutaway, simply named the Super 400. As it was then – and still remains today in the Super 400-CES – the Super 400 was the largest guitar the company had ever produced, with an impressive body width of 18 inches. But as Gibson has evolved over the years to adapt to the industry’s ever-changing advancements, so have its Super 400s. Although the Super 400s were discontinued during the mid-1940s because of the supply shortages of WWII, Gibson reintroduced the model in 1949. And as Gibson strived to gain an upper hand in the electric guitar market in the early 1950s, the model continued to progress with the eventual introduction of the first electric version. This had a slightly thicker top to reduce feedback, two P-90 pickups, and individual tone and volume controls, along with a three-way toggle switch. Later, the P-90 pickups were replaced with Alnico V pickups, then in 1957, humbucking pickups.
This 1992 model is all original and has a solid carved spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, 3-piece flamed maple-neck with medium profile, black headstock with MOP split-diamond inlay, Multi-bound 20 fret ebony fretboard with MOP split block-inlays, ebony compensated floating bridge, 6x original Kluson Sealfast tuners, 2 humbuckers; 2 x Vol., 2 x Tone, 3-way toggle switch and comes complete with its original Gibson Tan hard case.
The guitar has 2 labels, one inside each of the “F”-holes with the 2 nd
label signed by renowned Gibson luthier Jim Triggs – with Triggs leaving Gibson in 1992 this will have been one of the last instruments he worked on.
The guitar is in great condition and has been setup with a set of 11’s on board. There is some loss of the gold finish to the pickup covers (see pictures), and the body, heal and headstock facia all have some lacquer checking – there is a little bit of play in the Kluson tuners but all still work as they should.
A great chance to get one of these rare Gibson archtop guitars at a reasonable price.
Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £35.00.
Shipping to US/Canada, using UPS, is £185.00. Shipping to EU is £65.00
Customers outside of UK/EU/US/Canada should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop.
