Gibson / Melody Maker / 1963 / Sunburst / Guitar For Sale
This super featherweight guitar weighs just 6.40 lbs. and has a nice fat nut width of just over 1 11/16 inches and a regular scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Assymetrical double cutaway solid mahogany body with rounded horns slightly pointing away from neck. One-piece mahogany neck with a nice medium profile, rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and inlaid pearl dot position markers. Headstock with gold "Gibson" decal. Open-back strip tuners with white plastic oval buttons. Single-layer six-screw black plastic "all-on-one-plate" pickguard with the words "Melody Maker" by the end of the fretboard. Single Melody Maker black plastic-covered single-coil pickup with an output of 7.03k. Two controls (one volume, one tone) plus jack socket, all mounted on pickguard. The pots are stamped "137 6334" and "137 6342" (CTS August and October 1963). Gold plastic bell-shaped knobs with metal tops. Ridged "wrap-over" bridge with factory Maestro vibrato tailpiece. This guitar is in exceptionally fine (9.00) condition, with only a few tiny chips on the edges. Housed in a later padded imitation crocodile soft gig bag (9.00).
The Melody Maker was originally released [in early 1959] as a single pickup model, available with either a regular (24 3/4") or a short (22 1/2") scale neck.
"The single pickup Melody Maker was introduced in early 1959, both in regular and 3/4 size versions, as the newer budget model in the solid body line. A dual pickup version (MM-D) was subsequently listed in late 1959 but was not shipped in quantity until 1960. Between 1959 and 1965 the Melody Maker trio kept the same basic specifications but went through two successive body redesigns�The first variant is characterized by a single cutaway shape identical to the original Les Paul Junior save for a thinner body�In early 1961 both the regular and the 3/4 size versions were modified with a double cutaway shape produced by creating a upper horn symmetrical to the lower one�A further redesign took place in early 1965 when the model took on a double cutaway body with more pointed sculptured horns positioned farther away from the neck�[The] new body shape did not prove very pleasing and in February 1966 the Melody Maker was fitted, both on economic and aesthetic grounds, with the SG body style" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, pp. 215-216).S
Fretted Americana , USA 
We specialize in acquiring and offering the finest specimens of American vintage electric guitars with particular attention to those in their complete, original state. We are the only dealer to embrace a written code of ethics (in Terms & Conditions). We encourage you to read it.
HOW WE WORK
We want to inspire and win your trust and confidence. You don't want to have any negative surprises upon receipt of an instrument that you've invested yourself as well as your money into. Nor do you want any untoward surprises should you decide to sell it in the future.
To that end, every guitar that we offer is catalogued to a degree and depth of detail that is fast becoming the standard in the trade. When we declare an instrument to be completely original, it is. If it is not, we tell you exactly in what manner it has been altered.
We photograph each guitar at many angles to provide you with the broadest, clearest sense of its appearance. We will, upon request, provide you with images of all electronic components, inside and out.
Each guitar we acquire is skillfully and painstakingly dissected by David Brass, who is a trained luthier as well as a dealer and collector. All parts, no matter how small, are meticulously examined. We have an enviable reference library of wide breadth and scope that we refer to when necessary for crucial facts. The instrument is put under a black-light: original finish or refin? Even the most skillfully masked ding is uncovered. David then fastidiously reassembles the instrument. It is then cleaned with the finest products available for wood and metal.
An inspection certificate of authenticity signed by David is provided with every guitar you purchase.
We keep our inventory relatively small and highly select. We choose our guitars with extreme care so we can offer you the finest examples of the finest rare guitars in the world.
We are client focused to an extraordinary degree. If you expect or would like to be surprised by courteous, professional client service, we will pleased to accommodate that desire.
It is our fervent wish to establish a long-term relationship with you.
CODE OF ETHICS
We wish to establish an ongoing relationship with you based upon your trust in our knowledge and judgment.
To that end:
We meticulously inspect in detail every guitar that we offer. We check the finish, all of the electrical components, serial numbers, etc. With over thirty years of experience collecting and handling vintage guitars and our enormous reference library, we bring to bear all that is known about guitar manufacturers, models, and annual production.
We provide full, detailed descriptions and specs to each guitar.
We openly disclose any and all flaws we discover in writing. If the instrument is not completely “straight,” we will tell you so and why.
We endeavor to conduct ourselves to the highest standard of professional behavior.
We will deal fairly and ethically; no surprises, flim-flam, dubious business practices or shenanigans.
We value your sense of privacy and uphold the highest standards of discretion and respect
We allow a full 48 hour honeymoon period when you buy a guitar from us. If you are not 100% satisfied with it we will refund the purchase price in full, less shipping, upon return of the guitar in the same condition as sold. Please call us before returning the instrument.
Please inspect your new guitar immediately upon receiving it. If any guitar we offer is found to be not as described, we will happily refund the full purchase price, less shipping, upon return of the guitar in the same condition as sold. Please call us before returning the instrument.
