Kalamazoo

Epiphone Olympic Special Solidbody Sunburst, 1963

On January 7, 2024 /

Shown here is a fairly rare guitar – an Epiphone Olympic Special, built during 1963 at the Gibson Kalamazoo plant and looking almost exactly like a single-pickup Melody Maker. This version was offered from 1963 to 1969, with a production total of around 3,000 guitars.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson B-25 Steel String Guitar Sunburst, 1967

On November 7, 2023 /

Appearing towards the end of 1962, the Gibson B-25 replaced by way of renaming both the LG-2 and LG-3 models, which only differed in top finish. The sunburst top LG-2 became the B-25, while the natural finish top LG-3 became the B-25N. All three models were identical in terms of construction.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson L-00 Sunburst, 1934

On October 21, 2023 /

This Gibson L-00 dates to 1934, with the L-00 built from 1932 to 1945 as the lowest cost L model. There have been some reissues of 1930’s models offered in the last decade. And yes, the ’00’ is two zeros. For being plain, the Gibson L-00 models are remarkably good sounding instruments with a very even representation throughout the tonal range. As with many Gibson models, the top is Spruce. The sides, back, neck, body blocks and linings are mahogany, and the bridge and unbound fingerboard are rosewood.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson Moderne Heritage Limited Natural, 1982

On October 18, 2023 /

Here’s one of the rarest of all Gibson guitars – the Gibson Moderne, designed and registered in June 1957 but not put into production until 1982! At the end of the 1950’s, Gibson had to respond to the Fender juggernaut with flashy new designs, and Ted McCarty developed three in co-operation with prominent Detroit auto designer Ray Dietrich. These three designs, the Explorer, Flying V and Moderne were registered with the US Patent and Trade Mark Office during 1958.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Natural, 1968

On October 8, 2023 /

The Gibson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Dreadnought models were produced in tandem with the better known J-45, with the difference being the J-50’s natural vs the J-45’s sunburst top. This sometimes meant that the J-50’s used visually higher grades of Spruce, but the two guitars are otherwise identical.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Heritage Prospect Thinline Burnt Amber, 2014

On September 30, 2023 /

Heritage guitars, including the Heritage Prospect thinline archtop electric, are built at the historic Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. These are very well made instruments, with a high level of consistent quality. The Heritage Prospect is based on the classic thinline semi-hollow archtop design pioneered in 1958 by Gibson with the ES-335.

Used

This instrument has sold

Kalamazoo

Epiphone Olympic Special Solidbody Sunburst, 1963

Gibson B-25 Steel String Guitar Sunburst, 1967

Gibson L-00 Sunburst, 1934

Gibson Moderne Heritage Limited Natural, 1982

Gibson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Natural, 1968

Heritage Prospect Thinline Burnt Amber, 2014

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