Gibson Dove Custom Acoustic Natural 1975
Gibson Dove Custom, natural gloss, made in USA 1975. The Dove launched in 1962, a couple of years after it's square-shoulder cousin, the Hummingbird. Taking a coupel of queues from our friends in Philadelphia, the Dove got square shoulders, a spruce top and a 25.5" scale, but you also get a super cool maple back and sides and a whole bunch of cute visual touches. The split parallelogram inlays, bound ebony fretboard, seven ply double binding, red stained back and sides, oversized dove-inlaid bridge and the fancy inlaid guard make for a beautiful look. This one is in amazing shape: sure, it has a few knocks and scuffs, but for fifty years old, it's in remarkable condition, and the mellowing of the finish and details only adds to the charm. The sound is awesome too. The scale length and maple add plenty of top end shimmer and articulation, but it still has the generous rounded lows we love in a big Gibson. The midrange is dry and open and the lows are musical and immediate, it's a pleasure to listen to. This is a ery enjoyable vintage acoustic, it will perform admirably on stage or studio or hanging on the wall making your house a better place.
Model: Gibson Dove Custom
Made: USA, 1974-5, Kalamazoo factory
Serial: 624829
Finish: natural top, red back/sides/neck, gloss nitro
Body: solid sitka spruce top, solid maple back and sides, square shoulder dreadnought, X-braced top
Neck: three piece maple, ebony fretboard, 12" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 2.350kg
Mods: pickup installed and removed, rear strap pin replaced, two loose braces re-glued
Pickup: none
Accessories: sturdy non-original case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs on the end and edges, dimples on the end and some scuffs and clouding on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs, dimples and rub wear on the back as well as rub wear and discolouration on the binding. The back has minor dimples in the elbow area and bottom shoulder, as well as widespread minor scuffs and surface around the whole body. The sides have minor scuffs around the whole body body as well. as some dimples in the elbow area and bottom bout. The front has dimples along the back edge and elbow area, scuffs around the bridge and widespread minor rub wear and play wear on the guard and around the sound hole.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only