Instruments currently in stock:

 It’s pretty much like my bus route: you can wait for ages for a 1962 cherry Gibson, then two of them turn up at the same time. The LG-2 was Gibson’s top of the range small-bodied guitar from the mid 40s to early 60s and, unlike its ladder-braced siblings in the LG family, is basically a J-45 in miniature. It’s incredibly light, with the classic tall, narrow bracing. Again we get the quirky adjustable bridge, this time with an original ceramic saddle. Gibson LGs make excellent all-rounders, well suited to strummers and pickers alike with a bright treble and warm, thumpy bass.

 This one is in near perfect preservation: no repairs or modifications anywhere and only the Gibson Humpty Dumpty lacquer effect betraying its forty-five years. LG-2s are also for our money the last truly affordable classic from the Gibson oeuvre, and at two-thirds the cost on an identical J-45 this is a great value instrument.

£1995

2005 Gibson Historic Series Advanced Jumbo

Gibson’s answer to the D-28 and a fantastic instrument it is too. Basically a deluxe J-45 with Rosewood back and sides replacing the usual Mahogany, and elegant pearl inlays to the fingerboard and headstock. For reasons best known to Gibson this model only lasted for a few years on its original release and, despite occasional limited reissues from the Montana factory that are always eagerly received, this lovely model is currently once again unavailable. But do not fear – we have one! Lustrous tobacco sunburst revealing a gorgeous cross-silked top, Thirties style script logo and a Historic Series logo to the rear of the headstock. Immaculate condition and with its original Gibson branded case.

£1799

Gibson Hummingbird c1976

An excellently preserved and all original example of one of Gibson’s best known models. By the mid 70s much had changed to the original design, with a Martin style bottom belly bridge, all chrome machine heads and a mighty three X braces clinging to the underside of the soundboard.

With that much stiffness on the soundboard this was never going to be a loud guitar, but if you don’t fancy the boomy projection of a Martin dreadnaught then the Gibson has a softness and delicacy that is very pleasant. It’s had plenty of time to mature and the vintage credentials make this a guitar that will appreciate in value.

Comes with a 70s Gibson branded case.

£1799

Blues King inc. gig bag.

A new instrument but a 2005 model with Mahogany back and sides rather than the cheaper Bubinga they're using on the new specification Blues King. A warm sounding and wonderful little instrument.

£1499

Gibson A-1 c1940

 If you’ve ever wondered why Gibson have such a good reputation for mandolin making then you really need to try this little fellow. No other major manufacturer has managed to capture that percussive yet melodious chime that old Gibsons do so well, and this little sweetheart has it in bucket loads.

 Generally the condition is very good: a couple of hairline cracks in the top, one of which is only in the lacquer, but remarkably little crazing to the finish and a good healthy arch to the top. The celluloid scratch-plate has suffered some disintegration but has managed to cling onto the instrument, and is now tucked away safely in the mandolin’s original soft shell case. The case itself is usable but showing its age.

£1095

c1970 - 71 Gibson J50 Deluxe 

An old war horse this one: lacquer crazing to sides and neck, a refinished back and pick marks a-plenty on the top. A few repairs as well, with a cleated top crack (well away from the main X), a repaired split in the bridge, replaced tuners and the world's ugliest jack socket lurking underneath the strap button. 

Well, that's the bad news. The good news is that this is a very sweet sounding guitar from what is otherwise considered a difficult period for Gibson. Not as loud as a Martin dreadnaught, but warm and plummy and dark. It's also half the price of a clean example, and if you're looking for a gig-worthy, vintage Gibson for not a lot of money this one would be well worth checking out.

£999

Instruments, now sold,  that have previously graced our walls:

Gibson J45 c1957

This is a great sounding example of an original spec J-45, before the company began its forays into adjustable saddles, plastic bridges and the like. The original finish has been stripped back a long time ago, but it’s had plenty of time to build up a vintage patina. The neck had been left as bare wood but our chap has French polished over it to seal and protect it for future players. The bridge has been reglued – we think before the refinish, as there’s a trace line of the original sunburst around the edges, and speaking of original finishes there’s a patch of the original laquor at the foot of the fingerboard, which we’re leaving alone as a reminder that this guitar left the factory as a J-45 rather than a J-50.

Other than the laquor everything looks original, although the enclosed tuners are somewhat on the shiny side – I’m guessing they’re the originals which have enjoyed an extended trip to the buffing wheel but I can’t say for certain whether the’re original. A decent looking period case is also included.

SOLD

Gibson L-00 c1936/37

We like to think that after years of dealing and collecting Gibson guitars, we offer – ooh, let’s call it a “Rolls Royce” experience to our customers. And, as our access to new instruments from a certain well-known manufacturer has been inexplicably removed from us, we’ve been combing the country to track down original examples of Kalamazoo’s finest guitars, and what a classic this is: a lightly braced Adirondack Spruce top on South American Mahogany back and sides, and a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard atop a deep V-profile neck. The sound of these little Gibsons is exceptional – as a finger-style instrument they have a warmth and liveliness that is for our money unsurpassed, and they respond surprisingly well when you dig in with a pick. 

This one’s seen a fair bit of action, with a couple of top cracks long repaired and stable, and some small recently dealt with expansion cracks to the back. A trapeze tailpiece had been installed at some point, which has been removed, and the original bridge restored. There’s a little light French polish work over the repairs but the deeply checked and extremely sexy sunburst finish is original.
SOLD

A shining example of one of Gibson’s best-known guitars from the closing days of their classic era. By 1962 the dark sunburst had been replaced by a vivid cherry colour previously seen on the legendary sunburst Les Pauls, and the guitar bears the larger 60s style pointy pick guard. The construction is still nice and light with tall, narrow bracing. We also have in evidence one of Gibson’s, um, bright ideas in the form of an adjustable rosewood bridge. This system has its detractors, but it contributes a tighter, snappier edge to the tone that we think is rather pleasant.

Not much to report in the way of repairs: there’s a long since repaired crack on the back, the typical Gibson lacquer crazing and an endpin jack fitted, otherwise this is a fairly unmolested instrument.

SOLD

Gibson TG-1 c1928

First up in a series of new and old tenors we have on their way to us is a gorgeous little Gibson from the dawn of the company's illustrious flat- top making career. Although the TG-1 is essentially a 3/4 size version of the same year's L-1 design, Gibson chose to upgrade the tenor version by adding their mid-line pearl banjo headstock facia and, more importantly, a feather-light X brace supporting the Adirondack Spruce top. Condition is excellent - a little pick wear to the top but all original and no cracks to be found anywhere. 

Tonally these little Gibsons could well be the best there is: sweet and warm with a harpsichord like chime when playing chords. A rare and beautiful thing that shows perfectly why modern players are rediscovering these elegant little instruments.

The original Gibson case is supplied.

SOLD

 Gibson's entry level jazz box throughout the 40s to the 50s and, if you're after the full, mellow tone of a 50s Gibson jazz guitar, can live without a cutaway and don't have the requisite £5000 plus for an early 50s ES-175, this is going to be the one to look for. The acoustic tone is sweet and lively, if a little quiet in comparison to a carved top guitar.

The guitar has suffered a (long since reglued) loose treble side brace, resulting in a small amount of table sinkage. It's not particularly noticeable, and there's no risk of it getting any worse. It also looks as though a previous owner has learned the hard way that it's a good idea to loop the end of your lead through your strap to avoid any disasters when you step on the lead mid solo - the jack input is mounted into an oversized plate that hides a missing piece of mahogany where the jack was originally mounted. Other than that, the usual Gibson lacquer checking and a set of decent replacement tuners, condition is good and it's set to go many more years into the future. £999

F-9 mandolin inc. case. SOLD

c1939 Gibson L-00

We've always had a soft spot for Gibson's small body guitars, and this one is the real deal - a lightly braced Adirondack spruce top with mahogany back and sides, that very sexy fire-stripe pick guard, big V profile neck and a warm, mellow sound that perfectly counters the bright crispness of Martins of the same era. 

There aren't too many of these about on this side of the Atlantic, and unfortunately this one was torn from our hands before we'd even had a chance to hang it on the wall, but rest assured we will leave no stone unturned in finding you more examples of these wonderful little beasties. 

SOLD

c2001 Gibson Custom shop Nick Lucas signature reissue

The Nick Lucas was a fancy sister model to the venerable L-00 model, sporting a highly figured maple back and sides in place of the usual mahogany, and the body is substantially deeper than the L-00, making this a surprisingly loud guitar for its diminutive proportions. Cosmetic upgrades include multiple binding, elegant pearl inlays and the custom shop logo gracing the back of the headstock. 

Excellent condition - there are three small impact marks in the lacquer on the soundboard, the cause of which we can't begin to imagine, but otherwise a very clean example. Fitted with an excellent sounding Headway pickup by Roger Bucknall of Fylde guitars.

SOLD

SJ150 inc. hard case. SOLD

SJ200 inc. hard case. SOLD