Gibson Melody Maker Solid Body Electric Guitar (1970)
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Gibson Melody Maker Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1970), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 900993, natural re- finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case.
The guitar is a player-grade example of the final version of the Melody Maker, Gibson's entry level solid body. It has had some life over then past 55 years, refinished to "Hippie Wood" long ago and having some changed hardware but is still a lovely little player.
Gibson's "rationalized" solidbody student guitar series debuted in 1966 and was sold into the end of the decade; this is a late example from 1970 and was originally marked as a factory second. To simplify production, these used the standard SG body theoretically allowing any model from a 3-pickup SG Custom down to this one-pickup Melody Maker to be made from the same pre-carved piece of mahogany. These later Melody Makers were usually finished in eye-catching metallic paint finishes; this one was originally Pelham Blue which can still be seen in the control cavity.
With a super SG-style light body, very slim endless-feeling neck and one single coil pickup at the bridge this is a lean little rock machine, not as dark or crunchy-sounding as an SG but potent in its own right. This model was a great value in an American-made solid body at the time, and still a fine "real relic" vintage Gibson today.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
While obviously far from 100% original this is still a nicely serviceable little guitar, and effortlessly fun to play. The body was stripped to natural ages ago and carries an attractive if not stock non-professional sealer coat finish, the neck retains the original natural lacquer. There are dings, dents, scuffs and scratches overall but no really heavy wear. There is no structural damage or notable repairs.
The hardware is a mixed bag; the tuners, pickup, pickguard and wiring are original, the vibrato unit was removed and the Bridge is a '70s-80s adjustable Leo Quann chrome Badass unit. The plastic pickup cover has heavy pick scuffing on the top and there is a small cigarette mark on the bottom end of the pickguard. The strap buttons are original but the knobs are correct style repros. The original frets are still in good shape and this is a cool little player, housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.
The guitar is a player-grade example of the final version of the Melody Maker, Gibson's entry level solid body. It has had some life over then past 55 years, refinished to "Hippie Wood" long ago and having some changed hardware but is still a lovely little player.
Gibson's "rationalized" solidbody student guitar series debuted in 1966 and was sold into the end of the decade; this is a late example from 1970 and was originally marked as a factory second. To simplify production, these used the standard SG body theoretically allowing any model from a 3-pickup SG Custom down to this one-pickup Melody Maker to be made from the same pre-carved piece of mahogany. These later Melody Makers were usually finished in eye-catching metallic paint finishes; this one was originally Pelham Blue which can still be seen in the control cavity.
With a super SG-style light body, very slim endless-feeling neck and one single coil pickup at the bridge this is a lean little rock machine, not as dark or crunchy-sounding as an SG but potent in its own right. This model was a great value in an American-made solid body at the time, and still a fine "real relic" vintage Gibson today.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
While obviously far from 100% original this is still a nicely serviceable little guitar, and effortlessly fun to play. The body was stripped to natural ages ago and carries an attractive if not stock non-professional sealer coat finish, the neck retains the original natural lacquer. There are dings, dents, scuffs and scratches overall but no really heavy wear. There is no structural damage or notable repairs.
The hardware is a mixed bag; the tuners, pickup, pickguard and wiring are original, the vibrato unit was removed and the Bridge is a '70s-80s adjustable Leo Quann chrome Badass unit. The plastic pickup cover has heavy pick scuffing on the top and there is a small cigarette mark on the bottom end of the pickguard. The strap buttons are original but the knobs are correct style repros. The original frets are still in good shape and this is a cool little player, housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.