1955 Gibson Super 400 CES Sunburst

Sunburst, one of only 4 made that year. A jaw dropping work of art and tone. EX.

Not every guitar description requires a post-graduate history lesson so forgive us but the Super 400 is the state of the art in guitar building of the era. Super 4’s were $400 when the acoustic version was introduced in 1935. Remember it’s in the middle of the Great Depression. The best selling J-35 flat top was $35. That made the Super 400 acoustic almost 12 times more. Today, a standard J-45 is $3K. Using the same math any Super 400 would be $35,000.

It’s doubtful Gibson will ever do a tap tuned carved top again. Carving archtop guitar is a dying art. Imagine the help wanted listing. Help Wanted: must have the ability to read wood and tap tune each section to hand carve spruce for mass production. Must defend their existence to the corporate bean counters.

The Super 400 continued the over the top build quality with the Super 400 CES (cutaway electric Spanish) in 1951. Seth Lover designed the Alnico 5 in part by request of Les Paul for better tone. They are difficult to make so only went on the top of the line guitars like the Les Paul Custom, L5 CES and our hero the Super 400 CES. This staple pickup era only lasted 4 and a half years with less than 70 made in all of the years combined. Willie calls these the “Velvet Hammers” with an amazingly clear low end and less shrill treble and string pull.They are much smoother than the P-90. This guitar is nothing short of magnificent. Has the original “head cheese” pickguard, switch tip and Grover Imperial tuners. These rarely get abused. This one was played and has a few dings, light finish checking and wear through the finish on the neck. It’s also been refretted (you’re welcome) and plays great, really great.

Magnificent? Triple bound F holes, five layers of binding on the headstock, big pearl inlays on the back of the headstock even. Gibson was just plain showing off. Only the best driest wood was used. The Alnico 5 pickups will spoil you forever. Comes with the original hard case that looks like it was painted. Sexy as hell. Consigned.