1961 Gibson Melody Maker Sunburst

Very good condition featuring double cutaway slab mahogany body with sunburst top finish, large single ply black plastic with white stenciled “Melody Maker” logo, one single coil Gibson pickup with black plastic pickup cover, one volume control and one tone control with gold plastic reflector top knobs, electronics mounted directly to the pickguard, wraparound “lightning bolt” stud tailpiece, set mahogany neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays starting at the third fret, bone nut, slender Melody Maker peghead shape, black peghead face with gold Gibson logo, single ply black plastic bell shaped truss rod cover, three on a plate per side open gear tuning machines with white plastic oval shaped tuning buttons, serial number 24342 impressed into the back of the peghead, two metal strap buttons, walnut stain neck and body finish, two metal strap buttons and a non-original but vintage hard shell case. This guitar weighs 5lb 10oz.

This 1961 Gibson Melody Maker is in very good condition. This instrument shows lots of play wear including finish checking, dings, scrapes and scratches throughout especially on the body edges (see photos). The “lightning bolt” tailpiece and studs are newer Gibson parts. A lightning bolt sticker has been added to the truss rod cover and there is a visible hole where the strap button was moved at one point (see photos). This old Melody Maker is all original besides the bridge and has no cracks, breaks or repairs. This instrument blacklights perfectly. The truss rod is in great operating order and the bridge studs are not leaning. The electronics are fully original, have been cleaned and are in very good operating order. This Melody Maker has a righteous feeling medium chunky C shaped neck profile with a 1 11/16” nut width. This neck is incredibly comfortable and easy to play. These Melody Makers from this period, in my opinion, have some of the greatest feeling neck carves around - not too clubby and not overly thin, just right in between in the sweet spot. The original fret wire shows some play wear but the frets have plenty of life left. This instrument has been professionally set up and it plays fantastic up and down the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with smooth action and great intonation. This guitar does not fret out or buzz - it’s truly great player. The tuners are in good operating order and the guitar holds tune very well. The original single coil pickup sounds excellent and both original volume and tone pots operate smoothly without any static or crackle. This Melody Maker is exceptionally resonant and loud when played unplugged. You can feel it vibrate against your body when strummed. This guitar is housed in an older hard shell case that fits the guitar very well. If you are after a vintage double cutaway Melody Maker, this beat but sweet 62 year old example is absolutely top notch in my book.