I am offering an original Gibson US-1 Sunburst from 1987, a rare made in Nashville, TN (USA), solid-body superstrat model with chambered poplar body incl. Chromyte reinforcement, spectacularly figured quilted maple top, set-in maple neck with medium-width “D” neck profile and 42.8mm nut width, bound ebony fingerboard with split diamond mother-of-pearl inlays, hot Gibson USA New Design HSS pickup configuration including sophisticated electronics with individual on/off mini toggle switches for each pickup individually and push/push coil split in the vol. controls, high-quality golden Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners and a factory-installed Gibson Kahler Supertune tremolo bridge in a radiant sunburst nitrocellulose high-gloss finish with cream-white bindings and an Explorer-style hockeystick headstock in excellent collector's condition, including the original Gibson hardshell case, manufacturer's papers and professional setup with 9-gauge Elixir strings.

This early 1987 Gibson US-1 is an extremely rare solid-body model developed by legendary luthier Wayne Charvel and built by Gibson in Nashville, Tennessee. It was Gibson's attempt to position itself with a contemporary super strat model for guitarists of the emerging hard rock and fusion scene. So it's no wonder that the guitar's look, with its double cutaway, locking Kahler tremolo system and wild headstock, initially recalls a contemporary Charvel, Jackson or Kramer – but on closer inspection, the US-1 turns out to be a concept all its own, with excellent workmanship, well-thought-out specs and upscale luxury features.

Accordingly, the US-1 comes with a lightweight poplar body including Chromyte reinforcement – a construction method that was an absolute novelty for Gibson, but with a low weight of 3.5kg, not only ensures comfortable handling but also excellent acoustic resonance. On top of that is a three-dimensional quilted maple top, which is bound in creme bindings and is incredibly attractively staged by a seamlessly executed cherry sunburst finish. The set-in maple neck – in contrast to the standard mahogany – ensures efficient sound transmission but at the same time also a snappy, attack-laden response, and a bound ebony fingerboard with 24 frets features elaborate Split Diamond mother-of-pearl inlays.

Gibson's own New Design HSS pickup configuration offers an extremely versatile setup for cross-genre sound configurations, with exceptional electronics, above all the three individual on/off mini-switches for each pickup individually and the push/push coil split in the volume control. From the wiry, clear single coil for jazz and funk to warm, singing blues drives and hot, loaded humbucker sounds, the guitar always has a melodic quality with complex, rich overtones and an extremely dynamic sound.

A sound example of the model can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

The medium-width “D” neck profile lies comfortably in the hand and, together with the 42.9mm nut width and the longer 648mm scale length, provides excellent playability. The Kahler tremolo system allows all kinds of tone decorations on the tremolo, without having to compromise on tuning stability and intonation.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
• Year of manufacture: 1987
• Construction: Double Cutaway Solidbody Super Strat
• Body: Poplar with Chromyte reinforcement, weight-reduced
• Top: Quilted Maple
• Neck: Maple, set-in
• Neck profile: Medium “D”
• Fingerboard: Ebony with split diamond mother-of-pearl inlays, bound
• Fingerboard radius: 12”
• Frets: 24
• Nut width: 42.9 mm
• Headstock: Angled Explorer-style hockeystick maple headstock with Blackface and 3D Gibson gold logo, bound
• Pickups: 2x Gibson USA “New Design” singlecoils (neck, middle), 1x Gibson USA “New Design” humbucker (bridge)
• Electronics: 3x mini toggle on/off pickup switch, 1x volume control with push/push coil split for bridge humbucker, 1x tone control
• Tuners: Grover Mini Rotomatics, gold
• Bridge: Gibson Kahler Supertune locking tremolo
• Neck and body binding: cream white, single layer
• Finish: high-gloss sunburst, nitrocellulose
• Scale length: 647.7 mm
• Weight: 3.5kg
• Serial no.: 81807572
• Incl. original Gibson vintage hardshell case, manufacturer's papers, tremolo arm

The Gibson US-1 was only built in 1987 and is extremely rare, especially with a factory tremolo and quilted maple top.

This guitar is in completely unmodified original condition and technically flawless. Visually, if at all, only with age-related fine wear, which successfully integrates into the vintage patina of the instrument (see pictures). The frets are in top condition.

The instrument has received a professional setup with 9-gauge Elixir strings and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €49.99 within Germany of 119.99€ within the EU. Worldwide shipping possible - individual shipping costs on request.

All pictures shown are of the actual instrument for sale.