| Gibson collaborated
with guitarists Billy Byrd and Hank Garland when they decided to introduce
their first few thinline models in 1955. The resulting Byrdland
model had many of the specifications of the L-5C including a true carved
spruce top, carved solid flamed maple back & sides, bound
L-5 style ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays and regal
bound peghead with "Flowerpot" inlay. The difference between the
two models of course, is the distinctive Byrdland tailpiece,
the thinner side profile and the oh-so-easy to play 23 1/2" scale length!
Our information is that Gibson will
only be making archtops in very limited runs at this point in time,
so we have no idea when we (or anyone else) will be able to get another
instrument such as this. This particular guitar is reminiscent of
an early '60s version of the Byrdland with it's humbucking pickups (pre
Vari-tone) and Florentine cutaway. Our contact at the Canadian distributor
tipped us off to the existence of this particular guitar which is selling
at a very substantial discount as a "factory second". This guitar
looks, sounds and plays like a dream, but has minor fingerboard
shrinkage, a very small (3/8") scratch on the back near the heal
cap and a fingerboard extension that dips slightly (plays fine though).
Please email for pricing and availability! |
