This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage instrument you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Due CITES regulations & the likelihood that the fingerboard is made from Brazilian Rosewood, this guitar is offered for sale to UK BUYERS ONLY.
Here for sale we have an incredibly cool Gibson Melody Maker in 'Cardinal' Red finish. Gibson originally released the Melody Maker in 1959 as a more inexpensive version of the Les Paul Junior, itself a student model. The Melody Maker & Junior shared the same body shape until this double cutaway design was introduced in mid '61. The design was changed again to an SG shape in 1966 before being discontinued in 1971 and not widely available again until 1999. This particular example is interesting because it features a custom colour. The guitar is stamped with a '2' above the serial number indicating that it's a factory second- likely why it received a custom paint job before leaving the factory. The serial number & specification of the instrument date it to 1965, when this solid red colour- which appears to be a Cardinal Red- was not widely available.
A set neck construction is featured, and comprises a Mahogany body, Mahogany neck and 22 fret Rosewood fingerboard. Nickel hardware is fitted including a Gibson Vibrola tailpiece, Wraptail bridge & 3-on-a-plate tuning machines. The fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, whilst the body features the classic Melody Maker pickguard. The guitar has benefitted from a very well performed refret, with what appear to be medium jumbo frets. A solitary Gibson single-coil pickup is installed in the bridge position, and is wired to master volume & master tone controls.
The Mahogany neck plays very well. Designed as an affordable student model, the profile certainly feels easily manageable and fast to manoeuvre thanks to its fairly shallow depth. The 24.75" scale length, 1.723" nut width & 12" radius are all very traditional for Gibson, and whilst designed to ease the student guitarist into the Gibson world, it also adds a distinct character to the playing experience which is refreshing for even the most experienced Gibson fan. The slim body with its symmetrical cutaways is supremely comfortable in either standing or seated positions. Amplified, the Gibson single-coil pickup delivers a clear & bright tone which cuts through the mix very nicely. The master volume & tone controls allow plenty of scope for shaping your tone without over-complicating things. A seriously cool vintage Gibson.
This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage instrument you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Due CITES regulations & the likelihood that the fingerboard is made from Brazilian Rosewood, this guitar is offered for sale to UK BUYERS ONLY.
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.
Gibson Melody Maker ‘Cardinal’ Red c.1965 Vintage Electric Guitar
Brand- Gibson
Model- Melody Maker
Finish- 'Cardinal' Red (Custom Colour)
Year- c.1965
Made In- USA
Body- Mahogany
Neck- Mahogany
Fingerboard- Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius- 12"
Frets- 22
Scale Length- 24.75"
Nut Width- 1.723"
Pickups- Gibson Single-Coil
Controls- Master Volume, Master Tone
Our ID: 1200326193320
Weight: 6.25lbs
Serial: 313375
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall good condition. The top corners demonstrate notable chipping of the finish, revealing the wood beneath and flattening the edges. Notable indentations are apparent across the front face beside the logo. Further chipping is apparent around the perimeter of the headstock. Witness lines of previous larger washers beneath the tuning posts. Screw holes from previous tuners are apparent to the rear face. All aspects of the headstock demonstrate scratching, chipping and indentation consistent with a well used instrument of this age. We advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of the instrument. The rear of the headstock is stamped "2" for factory second.
Neck: Overall good condition. The fingerboard demonstrates a spot of black paint between the 1st and 2nd fret on the bass side edge. The fret ends are visible throughout with the finish having chipped away, indicating a re-fret at some point having occurred. Wear is apparent to the finish throughout the register of the rear, causing some nitro burn and changing to a lighter colour in several spots. Light indentations are apparent throughout. Some playwear is apparent in the early register of the fingerboard. We advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of the instrument.
Body: Overall good condition. All aspects of the body demonstrate notable scratching, chipping and indentation of the finish. This is most apparent to the bottom edge and to the rear treble side edges of the lower bout, revealing large portions of wood beneath. We advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of the instrument.
Condition of Frets:
The frets appear to have been replaced at some point due to their rather large size, as well as the exposed fret ends at either side of the fingerboard. The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use, with light to mild flattening of the crowns apparent throughout the register, not affecting playability. There is considerable material remaining for future fret work.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (5/16" socket) not included.
Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of use. The original tuners have been replaced more than once, however the most recent replacements are a close reproduction of the originals.The tremolo arm is rather loose. It can be tightened, however this impedes rotation of the arm. The tremolo is likely not original - the arm can only be rotated clockwise as it does not clear the height of the tone control.
Structural: No concerns or issues to note.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.5mm - Bass 2mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - 10-46
Electrics:
Fully functional.
Case & Accessories:
No case is provided with this guitar.
Truss rod tool not included.