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musical instrument details
1968 Gibson Barney Kessel Custom Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w/ohc
Estimated price for orientation: 4 399 $
Category: Gibson Flying V Electric Guitar
Class:
Description Brand: Gibson Body Type: Hollow Model: Barney Kessel Custom MPN: Does Not Apply Dexterity: Right-Handed Exact Year: 1968 String Configuration: 6 String Country/Region of Manufacture: United States UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson Barney Kessel Custom signature model archtop in excellent condition and in perfect working order. The Custom is the upscale version of the Kessel, featuring gold hardware, a figured maple top, bow tie fretboard inlays, and music note headstock inlay. While the Kessel models endured in the Gibson catalog for an impressive 13 years spanning the 1960s and early 70s, very few were actually produced year to year compared to most of Gibson's other models, and while it had Kessel's name on it, this model has perhaps become more closely associated with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, who has played a Kessel on many high profile gigs.Weighing in at 7lbs 4oz, this is an extremely lightweight instrument, and the fully hollow construction gives it an impressive acoustic voice, with the attack and crispness of maple, balanced with a sweet midrange voice. The full 17" lower bout and prominent double florentine cutaways make for a very eye-catching guitar, and the maple has some very tasteful figuring, particularly on the top of the guitar. Plugged in, the original Gibson Patent Sticker humbuckers deliver an even and robust tone that's ideal for Jazz, with a round and clear neck pickup tone. The bridge pickup compliments the neck nicely, with more attack and growl, delivering a snap and harmonic richness that can't be beat. Just one step away from the hallowed PAF, these pickups are still hand wound and read a very healthy 7.32k ohms at the neck, and 7.42k in the bridge position. Both pickups are just a hair underwound and read a bit less on an ohm meter than the machine wound "T Top" humbuckers which were phased in over the course of the late '60s. The result is a pair of pickups that have a particularly sweet and articulate treble response, something that gets lost quickly as a pickup is wound hotter. This Barney Kessel has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar and strung with fresh 11-50 roundwound strings.The three-piece flame maple neck has a medium C profile, with nice round shoulders and more depth as you move into the higher registers of the fretboard. The rosewood fretboard retains the original frets, which are wide and flat, given Gibson's factory fret dress in the era. The frets have been recently leveled and crowned, showing only a faint hint of wear in the first position, with virtually no wear further up the fretboard. The bone nut has the 1 9/16" width seen on Gibsons from 1965-the '70s. The headstock has the length typically reserved for the Super 400, with a clean Gibson pearloid logo and music note inlay. The original patent pending Grover Rotomatic gold tuners are intact and turn smoothly with only light patina on the buttons. All of the electronics work as they should, with original pots that still have their original shielding cans soldered over them, and pickup covers with undisturbed solder joints. A particularly common occurrence with these models, and this Kessel as well, is that the pickups are factory wired out of phase when both humbuckers are engaged. This gives the player a very cutting and unique sound that Barney Kessel used often in his recordings. The original hardware is intact, with the signature "Barney Kessel" tailpiece with rosewood insert, as well as the original witch hat knobs, pickguard, and Tune-o-Matic bridge with patent number base and nylon saddles. Visible through the bass side F hole, the original orange Gibson label is present and very clean, with a serial number that matches what is imprinted on the back of the headstock.Cosmetically, this is a very clean and original instrument, with a gorgeous Cherry Sunburst finish that shows tasteful vertical lacquer checking on the body, and virtually no checking on the neck profile. There are two tiny splits in the maple laminate only (not structural and only in the top ply) adjacent to the top left mounting ring hole for the neck pickup, and otherwise this guitar is stunningly well kept .The nitro lacquer finish is 100% original, and the guitar shows only a few faint nicks and finish scratches from light use over the decades. The top and back both have very nice subtle quilt figuring in the maple across the lower bout, which is accentuated by the Cherry Sunburst. This is a beautiful, well maintained, and infinitely playable vintage Gibson, perfect for a wide range of musical styles.The original hardshell case with gold plush interior is included.Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $65, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Gibson | Body Type: | Hollow |
| Model: | Barney Kessel Custom | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed | Exact Year: | 1968 |
| String Configuration: | 6 String | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson Barney Kessel Custom signature model archtop in excellent condition and in perfect working order. The Custom is the upscale version of the Kessel, featuring gold hardware, a figured maple top, bow tie fretboard inlays, and music note headstock inlay. While the Kessel models endured in the Gibson catalog for an impressive 13 years spanning the 1960s and early 70s, very few were actually produced year to year compared to most of Gibson's other models, and while it had Kessel's name on it, this model has perhaps become more closely associated with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, who has played a Kessel on many high profile gigs.Weighing in at 7lbs 4oz, this is an extremely lightweight instrument, and the fully hollow construction gives it an impressive acoustic voice, with the attack and crispness of maple, balanced with a sweet midrange voice. The full 17" lower bout and prominent double florentine cutaways make for a very eye-catching guitar, and the maple has some very tasteful figuring, particularly on the top of the guitar. Plugged in, the original Gibson Patent Sticker humbuckers deliver an even and robust tone that's ideal for Jazz, with a round and clear neck pickup tone. The bridge pickup compliments the neck nicely, with more attack and growl, delivering a snap and harmonic richness that can't be beat. Just one step away from the hallowed PAF, these pickups are still hand wound and read a very healthy 7.32k ohms at the neck, and 7.42k in the bridge position. Both pickups are just a hair underwound and read a bit less on an ohm meter than the machine wound "T Top" humbuckers which were phased in over the course of the late '60s. The result is a pair of pickups that have a particularly sweet and articulate treble response, something that gets lost quickly as a pickup is wound hotter. This Barney Kessel has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar and strung with fresh 11-50 roundwound strings.The three-piece flame maple neck has a medium C profile, with nice round shoulders and more depth as you move into the higher registers of the fretboard. The rosewood fretboard retains the original frets, which are wide and flat, given Gibson's factory fret dress in the era. The frets have been recently leveled and crowned, showing only a faint hint of wear in the first position, with virtually no wear further up the fretboard. The bone nut has the 1 9/16" width seen on Gibsons from 1965-the '70s. The headstock has the length typically reserved for the Super 400, with a clean Gibson pearloid logo and music note inlay. The original patent pending Grover Rotomatic gold tuners are intact and turn smoothly with only light patina on the buttons. All of the electronics work as they should, with original pots that still have their original shielding cans soldered over them, and pickup covers with undisturbed solder joints. A particularly common occurrence with these models, and this Kessel as well, is that the pickups are factory wired out of phase when both humbuckers are engaged. This gives the player a very cutting and unique sound that Barney Kessel used often in his recordings. The original hardware is intact, with the signature "Barney Kessel" tailpiece with rosewood insert, as well as the original witch hat knobs, pickguard, and Tune-o-Matic bridge with patent number base and nylon saddles. Visible through the bass side F hole, the original orange Gibson label is present and very clean, with a serial number that matches what is imprinted on the back of the headstock.Cosmetically, this is a very clean and original instrument, with a gorgeous Cherry Sunburst finish that shows tasteful vertical lacquer checking on the body, and virtually no checking on the neck profile. There are two tiny splits in the maple laminate only (not structural and only in the top ply) adjacent to the top left mounting ring hole for the neck pickup, and otherwise this guitar is stunningly well kept .The nitro lacquer finish is 100% original, and the guitar shows only a few faint nicks and finish scratches from light use over the decades. The top and back both have very nice subtle quilt figuring in the maple across the lower bout, which is accentuated by the Cherry Sunburst. This is a beautiful, well maintained, and infinitely playable vintage Gibson, perfect for a wide range of musical styles.The original hardshell case with gold plush interior is included.
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $65, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!