Gibson Melody Maker Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Item # 7823
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Gibson Melody Maker Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 504578, cherry lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, hard shell case.
The Melody Maker was Gibson's 1960s offering in a high-quality student or amateur player's guitar, with many of the features of the company's more expensive solid bodies at a budget price. While the instrument is fairly unadorned and has some basic economies (single-layer pickguard, strip tuners, single-coil pickups with unshielded wiring, and narrow headstock with a decal logo), in the important ways this is still a real Gibson instrument.
The thin solid mahogany body and neck are finished in the company's vibrant 1960s cherry finish and the neck is narrow at the nut but still fairly chunky! This basic single guitar is the later style body, somewhat flatter and broader than the early Melody Makers made through 1964. This style was only offered in 1965, as by early '66 the Melody Maker was redesigned yet again to use the SG body shape.
While only in production for about 14 months, this version of the Melody Maker is not exactly a rare guitar -- 1965 production figures show well over 6000 were shipped out that year! Nevertheless, many have been modified heavily over the years, so finding one in original condition is always nice. Probably the most famous Melody Maker is the '65 used by Eric Carmen in the Raspberries and subsequently played by Joan Jett for the bulk of her career, which is refinished in white with two humbucking pickups. This original 1965 cherry guitar is a great playing 1960s Gibson: light, easy to handle, and extremely responsive with a great sound and vibe.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 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.).
The finish has its share of nicks and dings, but this Melody Maker remains in excellent-playing original condition, complete except the tuners are modern Kluson Deluxe reproductions and, as with many, the trem arm has gone missing. Super light and handy, this Melody Maker has a better neck angle than many and really rings. Excellent - Condition.
The Melody Maker was Gibson's 1960s offering in a high-quality student or amateur player's guitar, with many of the features of the company's more expensive solid bodies at a budget price. While the instrument is fairly unadorned and has some basic economies (single-layer pickguard, strip tuners, single-coil pickups with unshielded wiring, and narrow headstock with a decal logo), in the important ways this is still a real Gibson instrument.
The thin solid mahogany body and neck are finished in the company's vibrant 1960s cherry finish and the neck is narrow at the nut but still fairly chunky! This basic single guitar is the later style body, somewhat flatter and broader than the early Melody Makers made through 1964. This style was only offered in 1965, as by early '66 the Melody Maker was redesigned yet again to use the SG body shape.
While only in production for about 14 months, this version of the Melody Maker is not exactly a rare guitar -- 1965 production figures show well over 6000 were shipped out that year! Nevertheless, many have been modified heavily over the years, so finding one in original condition is always nice. Probably the most famous Melody Maker is the '65 used by Eric Carmen in the Raspberries and subsequently played by Joan Jett for the bulk of her career, which is refinished in white with two humbucking pickups. This original 1965 cherry guitar is a great playing 1960s Gibson: light, easy to handle, and extremely responsive with a great sound and vibe.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 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.).
The finish has its share of nicks and dings, but this Melody Maker remains in excellent-playing original condition, complete except the tuners are modern Kluson Deluxe reproductions and, as with many, the trem arm has gone missing. Super light and handy, this Melody Maker has a better neck angle than many and really rings. Excellent - Condition.