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Gibson Nick Lucas Special (1929)

Vintage

Currently unavailable
DOCUMENTED HONESTLYEvery repair, every change
VETTED ON THE BENCHBefore it's listed
SINCE 1968Still independent

This is a beautiful-sounding blues fingerpicking guitar, with punch aplenty, and a clear, glassy-sounding high end that also blooms under a flatpick.

This 1929 Gibson Nick Lucas Special has just come in for consignment! This is the earliest version of the Nick Lucas -- essentially a deep-bodied L1 (aka "The Robert Johnson" model) with Lucas's custom fingerboard inlay motif and banjo tuners. This guitar retains the original "A" style bracing, which accentuates the midrange, though this guitar still packs an impressive, pillowy low end thanks to its deeper body. It may go without saying that this instrument looks beautiful, but let's quickly say how wonderful that sunburst is! Those late 20's / early 30's hand-rubbed cremona 'bursts set the standard by which all others are measured; and this one makes a particularly elegant pairing alongside the Nick Lucas aesthetic. This is a beautiful-sounding blues fingerpicking guitar, with punch aplenty, and a clear, glassy-sounding high end that also blooms under a flatpick.

Condition: at 95 years old, this guitar has seen lots of play and more than its share of repair work. There's a plugged jack hole in the treble side, and small holes near the end wedge from a previously installed trapeze tailpiece. The bridge and bridge plate were replaced at Folkway Music, outside Toronto, where a neck reset and refret were also performed. Multiple top cracks have also been repaired. But for all the work, the guitar still feels strong and sturdy in hand, plays cleanly, and sounds wonderful! Price includes its original hardshell case. On consignment; expedited shipping required.
Condition: Vintage. Fully inspected and set up by TME staff before it ships or leaves the showroom.
Top Red Spruce
Back & Sides Mahogany
Neck Mahogany
Fingerboard Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge Rosewood
Nut & Saddle Bone
Tuners Original banjo-style
Bracing "A" style
Construction Hide Glue
Finish Original w/small touch-ups
Carve Full C
Nut Width 1 3/4"
String Spacing 2 5/16"
Scale Length 24"
Truss Rod Adjustable
Inlays Nick Lucas signature
Headstock "The Gibson" script logo in MOP
Case Original Hardshell

Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.

Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.

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Gibson Nick Lucas Special (1929)
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Glenn Nichols, Repairs & Restorations

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