The Gibson 1956 Les Paul nearly reached the model’s evolutionary peak after its 1952 introduction. At this point the neck angle had increased and the new ABR-1 bridge and stop tailpiece had been added – all that remained was the late 1957 introduction of Gibson’s new humbucking pickups.
Guitar
Here is a lovely Rickenbacker 330 Ruby Red thinline electric, in very nice original and complete condition (including the bridge cover!), dating to the third week of April 2014. Like all other Rics it was built at the Santa Ana, California facility.
The Rickenbacker 330 design dates back to the late 1950’s when Roger Rossmeisl created a number of forward-looking designs including the Cresting Wave chambered body and slash soundholes. On this Rickenbacker 330 Ruby Red, the finish really stands out and shows off the contours, without being overly dramatic or flashy; it’s really quite well done.
With a design dating back to 1917, the Martin D-18 Dreadnought has been one of the bases of the Martin line since its official launch in 1931. The Martin D-18 Dreadnought shares a number of core design elements with all other Martin Dreadnoughts, a large body with Mahogany neck. What changes from model to model is the wood selection and appointments.
Here is a classic Wine Red Gibson Les Paul Standard built during June of 1995, in good clean original condition with no weight relief and only minor wear. Following the design of the late 1950’s models, the 1995 Gibson Les Paul Standard features a carved Maple cap on a solid Mahogany body, with Mahogany for the back and Indian Rosewood for the fingerboard.
Now discontinued, the Taylor GS8E Natural uses the non-cutaway Grand Symphony body and pairs a Sitka Spruce top with Indian Rosewood for the sides, back and head plate. The neck and body blocks are Mahogany, with Ebony for the bridge and bound fingerboard. The top also sports an Abalone rosette ring.