The 1949 Gibson Super 400 is the pinnacle of postwar archtop craftsmanship. With its imposing 18-inch back and sides, beautiful flamed maple, and solid carved spruce top, this guitar represents the absolute top model in Gibson's catalog of that period. A beautiful and rare guitar produced in very limited numbers; you're unlikely to find a second one!

The Gibson Super 400 was launched in 1934 as the successor to the L5, the flagship archtop guitar. The guitar owes its name to its $400 retail price and, with an 18-inch wide body, had a substantial build. It also inspired other guitar makers to create similar guitars, whose volume made them ideal for live performances.

With a flamed maple back and sides and a carved spruce top with parallel bracing, this Super 400 delivers the full, projecting tone that earned it legendary status. The gloss natural finish with gold hardware gives the guitar a stylish look, and the engraved "Super 400" on the tailpiece clearly identifies the guitar. Along with the beautiful inlays on both the fretboard and headstock, they create a subtle decorative touch that pays fitting tribute to Gibson's flagship model. The three-piece maple and walnut neck, with its comfortable C-profile and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, offers a pleasant playing experience. The compound radius of the fingerboard contributes to the ease of play across the entire neck.

This 1949 Super 400 bears the marks of a long and active musical life. The guitar has several repaired cracks in the top, back, and on both shoulders near the neck joint. The original pickguard is not currently mounted on the guitar because it is no longer in the best condition, but it may be salvageable by a professional repairer. The original Kluson Sealfast tuners and the engraved Super 400 tailpiece are still present and function as intended.

The guitar comes in its original Geib hardshell case, complete with the original pickguard, CITES documentation, and TFOA passport.

photos of: Actual Instrument