I've been aware of this instrument since 1983 when I read an article in Guitar Player magazine by George Gruhn about a 7 string Dobro made by Gibson. I was quite intrigued, as I played Dobro a bit as well. It was a marvel to behold. Now for a little history: CMI was a conglomerate that from 1944 until the mid fifties, owned Gibson and the National Guitar Company. There was a bit of an incestuous relationship between the two companies. It was not uncommon for National to use Gibson bodies, and then use their own necks, hardware, etc. I've seen Gibson J-45 bodies and ES-175 bodies with National parts. The point of this is that there was some intermingling of the two companies. After WWII, National stopped making resonator instruments. However, there was still a demand from traditional Dobro players. Even back then they were searching the pawn shops for used instruments. That brings us back to our Gibson Dobro. It exists, and we have it in our shop. It was possibly a prototype made by Gibson with a vintage National/Dobro resonator. National had a stash of those, and used them in the sixties on some models. So, this guitar was either made as a special order, or as an experimental model. I tend to think it was made for a customer because most prototypes I've seen are somewhat crude - this is not. It is a finished instrument. It is seven strings with four resonator screens. The body is a Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar body. It's bigger than any traditional style Dobro that I've seen. Bigger body, bigger sound; that's how it works. So as just a musical instrument, it's the best sounding Dobro I've ever heard. It's the only one my friends. There is a rumor that two more were made, but it is unsubstantiated. This is about the rarest Gibson on the planet and that is including the elusive, never seen "MODERNE". I've never seen a Moderne in person, but I can look at this guitar anytime I want to. It's clean and nice, showing some light wear, but overall condition is excellent. It's really something. A piece of history - and it can be yours! Comes with vintage hard case.
