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1948/59 Gibson Super 400 Custom
Beyond the mystery of ‘Homer’ is the mystery of why this single-pickup guitar was fitted with a two-pickup wire-harness, complete with switch and bridge pickup wiring that has been bypassed. We’ve taken a close look at the wiring and are quite certain that it is original 1959 Factory work. The gold PAF is untouched and original, the route looks like factory work, and the solder on the 1959-dated pots is original as well. The bridge pickup wiring is intact - but without a pickup on the other end – and the switch has been jumpered. It’s possible that Gibson decided against routing for the second pickup after routing the neck cavity through the guitar’s tone bars. Doing the same thing in the center of the top would spell top failure; this much they knew for sure. Perhaps the switch and bridge pickup control holes were drilled before thinking to check the brace placement. It’s all speculation, and perhaps we’re offering more benefit of the doubt to Gibson that we rightly should. Regardless, it’s certainly a head scratcher.
The gold Bigsby is a late 1950’s model, and the gold ABR-1 bridge is of the early design without retaining spring. The knobs and plastic bits are all Gibson-parts that are consistent with late 1950s production. The balance of the guitar is original 1948 Gibson Super 400, including the tuners, nut, frets, finish, case and canvas case cover. It’s in absolutely remarkable condition and was clearly highly treasured by Homer and his family for the decades that followed.
An incredible sounding instrument. Its really hard to match the tone of an original PAF on an 18” acoustic archtop that’s strung with flatwound 12s. The PAF reads 7.9k, and is quite hot and fat, lively and touch sensitive. It’s got a growl that you’ll be hard-pressed to hear in any modern humbucker. The neck plays fast, and the set-up is low and jazzy. Blues, Jazz, and Rockabilly players will love it.
Round neck carve with a nut that’s a hair shy of 1-11/16”. Neck depth is .91” at the 1st fret and 1.01” at the 9th. 25.4” scale.
The original frets show light wear and remain quite playable. There is a cleanly repaired back crack that’s been touched up perfectly, and a small spot of repaired finish on the top’s edge by the controls that can only be seen with black light. The finish is nicely aged, and shows a consistent crazing throughout.
This guitar is truly as vintage-cool as they can get. The tastefulness and degree of ornamentation would have made Paul Bigsby proud. Sixty plus years later this Gibson Super 400 is as much object d’art as it is a wonderfully functional instrument.
With original hardshell case and canvas case cover
