Between 1975 and 1978, Gibson produced the Mark series of flattop acoustics which were designed by Michael Kasha and Ricahrd Schneider. These steel-strings had a 16 3/16-inch wide body and were narrower at the waist than a normal dreadnought. Some innovative features offered with the Mark series were a modified fan-pattern bracing style, an asymmetrical bridge, a removable pickguard, and interchangeable saddles.  The MK-53 specifically used Maple for its back and sides, nickle-plated hardware, and a Rosewood fingerboard. While innovative in their time, Mark series guitars never really caught on, and are not particularly sought-after by collectors. 

Years of Production: 1975 - 1978

Body Style: Small waist dreadnought 

Wood Composition: Maple back and sides, Rosewood fingerboard, Spruce top

Design Elements: Fan-patterned bracing, asymmetrical bridge, removable pickguard, interchangeable saddles, multi top and back binding, dot inlays