Gibson Century-6 Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1962)
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Item # 9008
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Gibson Century-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1962), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 94034, salmon lacquer finish, maple body, original brown tolex hard shell case.
The late-'40s BR-2 Century was one of Gibson's most strikingly modernistic creations ever, a real aesthetic stunner at the time. This lovely pink Populuxe delight from 1962 was the later iteration of that somewhat whimsical design, evolved but still retaining its unique character. The Century lap steel was a bit less deluxe than its sister the Ultratone but featured a similar abstract oblong asymmetrical body with a backpainted Lucite fingerboard and trim pieces.
The instrument's visual character was originally the work of the design firm Barnes & Reinicke, hired by Gibson at the end of WWII to add some new flavor to the company's recipe -- and boy, did they! This is the longest-lived version of the model and features a coral pink (!) lacquer finish -- described by Gibson as "Bittersweet" -- on the maple body, set off with "Beach White" and gold accents. The one-piece metal bridge and headstock are covered by molded, back painted shells -- no unsightly string ends here! The script Gibson logo used is unique, and looks like it would be more at home in a 1950s fashion layout than on the headstock.
A P-90 single coil pickup with adjustable polepieces sits under a pink plastic cover also unique to this model. This always great sounding unit provides the tonal muscle to back up the Century's slickly moderne looks. It is controlled by an unusual one-volume, dual-tone-knob circuit for an added range of sound, although the second knob has a very subtle effect. This 1961 model has three of the numbered amber plastic knobs with metal caps typical of that period.
The 1960s-era Century was produced in very small numbers (only 53 shipped out this year), but remains one of Gibson's most unique and visually striking instruments. This one comes in its beautiful original rectangular hard case which is covered in brown Tolex but otherwise VERY similar to a 1950s tweed Fender case, down to the red plush lining. Go figure!
Overall length is 32 1/4 in. (81.9 cm.), 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely original Century showing some average wear but no major damage or alteration. Everything on the instrument is original and unaltered except the buttons on the bass side tuners. The finish shows some moderately heavy checking (mostly on the top) with some dings and dents, including a couple of touched-up spots on the bass side edge that are well-matched but visible.
The fragile plastic bridge cover and headstock cover are complete and undamaged, which is fairly unusual on these pieces which have usually at least cracked by now. This steel sings with a sweet mellow P-90 tone until cranked up, then it really roars in typical fashion for this much-loved pickup. Overall a nice example of the "Bittersweet" Century, fun to play and as always a looker for sure. Excellent Condition.
The late-'40s BR-2 Century was one of Gibson's most strikingly modernistic creations ever, a real aesthetic stunner at the time. This lovely pink Populuxe delight from 1962 was the later iteration of that somewhat whimsical design, evolved but still retaining its unique character. The Century lap steel was a bit less deluxe than its sister the Ultratone but featured a similar abstract oblong asymmetrical body with a backpainted Lucite fingerboard and trim pieces.
The instrument's visual character was originally the work of the design firm Barnes & Reinicke, hired by Gibson at the end of WWII to add some new flavor to the company's recipe -- and boy, did they! This is the longest-lived version of the model and features a coral pink (!) lacquer finish -- described by Gibson as "Bittersweet" -- on the maple body, set off with "Beach White" and gold accents. The one-piece metal bridge and headstock are covered by molded, back painted shells -- no unsightly string ends here! The script Gibson logo used is unique, and looks like it would be more at home in a 1950s fashion layout than on the headstock.
A P-90 single coil pickup with adjustable polepieces sits under a pink plastic cover also unique to this model. This always great sounding unit provides the tonal muscle to back up the Century's slickly moderne looks. It is controlled by an unusual one-volume, dual-tone-knob circuit for an added range of sound, although the second knob has a very subtle effect. This 1961 model has three of the numbered amber plastic knobs with metal caps typical of that period.
The 1960s-era Century was produced in very small numbers (only 53 shipped out this year), but remains one of Gibson's most unique and visually striking instruments. This one comes in its beautiful original rectangular hard case which is covered in brown Tolex but otherwise VERY similar to a 1950s tweed Fender case, down to the red plush lining. Go figure!
Overall length is 32 1/4 in. (81.9 cm.), 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely original Century showing some average wear but no major damage or alteration. Everything on the instrument is original and unaltered except the buttons on the bass side tuners. The finish shows some moderately heavy checking (mostly on the top) with some dings and dents, including a couple of touched-up spots on the bass side edge that are well-matched but visible.
The fragile plastic bridge cover and headstock cover are complete and undamaged, which is fairly unusual on these pieces which have usually at least cracked by now. This steel sings with a sweet mellow P-90 tone until cranked up, then it really roars in typical fashion for this much-loved pickup. Overall a nice example of the "Bittersweet" Century, fun to play and as always a looker for sure. Excellent Condition.