Gibson Skylark Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1963)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 8573
Prices subject to change without notice.
Gibson Skylark Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1963), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 120096, natural lacquer finish, korina wood body, original brown tolex hard shell case.
"Geez, I coulda been a Flying V"! Well…maybe not, but the stylish Skylark steel is mostly famous among dedicated Gibson fans not for what it is, but for what it is not. The light-grained African Korina wood these bodies are carved from is from the same stash the legendary 1950's "Modernistic" guitars (the Flying V and the Explorer) were built of, and Gibson used up the supply purchased in the mid-50's on these lively little steels instead of generations of unbuilt futuristic solidbodies.
Each Skylark is sort of small piece of the Korina grail, albeit one that was not made in the form that has achieved immortality! Taken on its own merits, the Skylark - intended primarily for students - is a very functional, snazzy looking and pro-grade lap steel guitar equipped with a single Melody Maker pickup, nickel-plated control plate, and cool plastic headstock logo…which is another feature shared with the Flying V! The abstractly shaped body has a two-level sculpted ledge around the edge and black gold-printed fingerboard pinned on. Those with uncurbable Korina fever often keep a snazzy little Skylark close at hand, a tangible piece of an otherwise unobtainable goal and a small reminder of one of Gibson's most elusive glories.
Overall length is 32 in. (81.3 cm.), 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 in. (2.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.). This is a super clean and all-original Skylark, in a nicely preserved original brown HSC. There is minor corrosion to some of the plated metal and the wood shows lacquer checking with small dings, scuffs and dents but there is not a lot of wear overall. Most of the "Volume" print has rubbed off the silver knob cap. This steel is about as nice as we've had, ready to take flight in a Korina dream. Excellent - Condition.
"Geez, I coulda been a Flying V"! Well…maybe not, but the stylish Skylark steel is mostly famous among dedicated Gibson fans not for what it is, but for what it is not. The light-grained African Korina wood these bodies are carved from is from the same stash the legendary 1950's "Modernistic" guitars (the Flying V and the Explorer) were built of, and Gibson used up the supply purchased in the mid-50's on these lively little steels instead of generations of unbuilt futuristic solidbodies.
Each Skylark is sort of small piece of the Korina grail, albeit one that was not made in the form that has achieved immortality! Taken on its own merits, the Skylark - intended primarily for students - is a very functional, snazzy looking and pro-grade lap steel guitar equipped with a single Melody Maker pickup, nickel-plated control plate, and cool plastic headstock logo…which is another feature shared with the Flying V! The abstractly shaped body has a two-level sculpted ledge around the edge and black gold-printed fingerboard pinned on. Those with uncurbable Korina fever often keep a snazzy little Skylark close at hand, a tangible piece of an otherwise unobtainable goal and a small reminder of one of Gibson's most elusive glories.
Overall length is 32 in. (81.3 cm.), 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 in. (2.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.). This is a super clean and all-original Skylark, in a nicely preserved original brown HSC. There is minor corrosion to some of the plated metal and the wood shows lacquer checking with small dings, scuffs and dents but there is not a lot of wear overall. Most of the "Volume" print has rubbed off the silver knob cap. This steel is about as nice as we've had, ready to take flight in a Korina dream. Excellent - Condition.