Up for sale, a 1963 Gibson Super 400C in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. The largest Gibson archtop ever produced with an impressive 18” lower bout width, this Super 400C boasts a fine grained carved Sitka spruce top, curly maple back/sides, and straight tiger flame figuring along the three-piece maple neck.

One of only 14 examples produced in 1963, this Super 400C is strung with 12-53 flatwound strings, offering singing, articulate tones with a breadth and depth befitting the Super's dimensions and tonewood complement. There’s tons of projection on tap when needed, with a broad, brilliant power and immediacy, and the note detail and midrange cut of both single notes and complex chords is without equal, versatile and dynamic. This Super 400C weighs 6lbs 11oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Flame maple (three-piece)
• Shape: Slender C, measuring .805” 1st fret, .935” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony, mother of pearl split-block inlays
• Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-3
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Nut: 1 11/16”
• Tuners: Kluson Sealfast
• Serialization: Six-digit stamp dates to ‘63

Body Specs:

• Wood: Spruce, curly maple
• Hardware: Brazilian rosewood compensated bridge, elevated tailpiece with “SUPER 400” engraving
• Pickguard: Bound marble
• Marquetry: Multi-ply binding
• Label: Kalamazoo Orange oval, Serialized (bass-side f hole)

The gloss Cherry Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the dynamic figuring in the carved curly maple back and rims. This is a well-kept example, with cosmetic wear limited to mild buckle scuffing central to the back and just a handful of minor dings (largely concentrated at the lower bout), consistent with more than a half century of careful usage. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, with palm wear along the treble-side shoulder and a scant few tiny marks along the profile length.

The original brown Gibson-branded Lifton hardshell case is included.