Gibson Melody Maker-D Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, cherry lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, brown soft shell case.
The Melody Maker was Gibson's 1960's 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, openback 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 1960's cherry finish and the neck is a fairly chunky '65 style�not the '66 era "pencil neck"! This twin-pickup 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. This guitar is original with a stop tailpiece/bridge but no vibrato installed, which is fairly unusual and helps make it a fabulous player.
While only in production for about 14 months, this version of the Melody Maker-D is not exactly a rare guitar -- 1965 production figures show over 4500 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 MM-D is the '65 used by Eric Carmen in the Raspberries, 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 1960's 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Average play wear overall but no breaks or repairs. Has had several types of tuners installed, but currently restored back to the original openback strip Waverly pegs. Pickups and electronics original, one PU baseplate and the switch tip are replaced, and the knobs are high-quality reproductions. The finish is only lightly faded and still has a good cherry hue with typical light checking.
This is a great-playing little guitar with a surprisingly powerful and bright tone. Includes a perfect-fitting period brown chipboard case that may well have been with the instrument since new. Very Good + Condition.
