1969 Gibson Super 400 CES, Sunburst
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- / per
Summary
Model: Super 400
Year: 1969
Finish: Sunburst
Modifications: Plugged strap button hole, strap buttons, repro bridge, wiring, pickguard (original retained)
Weight: 3.62
Case: OHSC
Fingerboard: Ebony
Body Wood: Maple
Neck Wood: Maple/Walnut
Tuners: Kluson Sealfast
Pickups: Correct Pat No Humbuckers
Hardware: Gold
Neck Profile: Slim/Medium C
Nut Width: 42.9
Neck Depth 1: 20.2
Neck Depth 12: 27.1
Pots: In cans
We are not box shifters, we take your packing and shipping very seriously..!
We have to. You're considering spending a lot of money with us and you would obviously like your valuable musical instrument to arrive at your door, without drama, fuss or damage.
We have many years (stretching way back in to the last century) of packing and shipping fragile musical items all over the world - in fact the number of sometimes priceless, vintage instruments we have shipped is in the thousands.
When you buy a vintage or second hand item from us, it will be hand packed by one or more of our specialist, in house staff and then shipped in our own custom made cardboard boxes (If applicable).
We normally ship via our preferred carriers UPS, DPD, Parcelforce and Royal Mail for smaller items such as straps and leads. Tracking numbers are always provided.
Shipping prices vary by item and by location, please see the individual products for details but as a guide, prices for a guitar is usually:
UK - £50
Mainland Europe - £75
USA - £200
Rest of World (rates can vary a lot depending on country) - £250
How can I pay?
All our base prices are in £GBP Sterling and exclude delivery.
Payments can be made by bank transfer (up to any amount) or credit/debit card through our website (up to £10,000.) Due to fraud risks we do not take payment by phone. We accept and use many online payment services that work by way of bank transfer and recommend Wise.com who will in generally offer far better exchange rates than banks.
Do your prices include VAT?
All prices include UK VAT but most used or vintage guitars are sold under the UK marginal scheme for secondhand goods which means you will not get an invoice with the VAT amount shown separately, neither will you be able to claim this VAT element back if you are VAT registered, and the VAT element cannot be deducted for export sales.
For new items such as some guitars, pedals, straps, cables etc 20% UK VAT is included and if you are in an export country, which since Brexit now includes Europe and of course the US, this 20% VAT will automatically be deducted at checkout for you. You may have to pay local taxes and duties when your goods arrive in your home country, we advise you to check with your local customs office to be sure.
Can I reserve or put an item on hold?
Yes you can. Items can be put on hold for a deposit payment of 10%. This will hold the item for up to 30 days but this deposit payment is non refundable in the event of the buyer failing to complete the sale.
A further 10% payment at the end of the initial 30 day period will extend this period for another 30 days and subject to individual approval, this arrangement can be extended at our discretion. ATB Guitars holds title to the goods until paid for in full and if the buyer should change his/her mind for any reason, a restocking fee equivalent to to 15% of the total purchase price will be deducted from any refund given.
Do you have a mailing list?
The best way to get on our mailing list is to submit the form at the bottom of every page on our website. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ATBguitars as most new items are posted there as soon as we buy them and before they go on the website. If you are searching for a specific guitar then send us an email and we will attempt to alert you once one has been found.
1969 Gibson Super 400 CES, Sunburst
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1969 Gibson Super 400 CES, SunburstDescription
The Gibson Super 400 represents the pinnacle of Gibson’s archtop line, a model that since its introduction in 1935 has stood as the company’s flagship jazz guitar. It was the largest guitar Gibson had ever built, with its 18-inch lower bout and lavish ornamentation setting a new standard for both visual impact and tonal authority. By 1951, the model had evolved into the CES format and featured P90 pickups followed by Alnico V pickups in '54, and finally humbuckers from late '57. It became a favourite not only among jazz greats, but also in the hands of players looking for the most refined electric archtop Gibson could produce.
This 1969 example showcases the high level of craftsmanship and ornamentation associated with the model. It features a finely grained carved Spruce top with flame Maple back and sides, capped with a striking sunburst finish and a factory stinger to the back of the headstock with split diamond inlay. The five-piece flame Maple and Walnut neck is topped with an Ebony fingerboard with split block inlays and multi-ply binding with a distinctive ornate pointed end. Gold-plated Kluson Sealfast tuners, the etched Super 400 tailpiece, and custom truss rod cover reinforce its high end status. The pickups are patent number humbuckers typical of the period, providing warmth and articulation that complements the guitar’s natural acoustic resonance.
The guitar remains in very good overall condition, with some minor changes over the years including a repro ABR-1 bridge, some changed wiring (original wiring is retained in the case), a later pickguard and fitted strap locks. The original pickguard is included. There is also a plugged strap button hole at the heel.
Tonally, the guitar delivers both unplugged and amplified. The tight-grained, carved Spruce top gives it excellent resonance, with the Maple back and sides adding clarity and brightness. Acoustically it has a harmonically rich voice and plugged in, the patent number humbuckers provide a beautifully balanced tonal range - warm and rounded at the neck, airy and articulate at the bridge, with plenty of sustain and depth. The slim-to-medium neck profile feels fast and comfortable in hand.
As Gibson’s top-of-the-line archtop, the Super 400 CES occupies an important place in the company’s history and remains one of the most desirable jazz guitars ever made. This is an excellent example for player or collector and comes complete with it's original hard case.
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Summary
Model: Super 400
Year: 1969
Finish: Sunburst
Modifications: Plugged strap button hole, strap buttons, repro bridge, wiring, pickguard (original retained)
Weight: 3.62
Case: OHSC
Fingerboard: Ebony
Body Wood: Maple
Neck Wood: Maple/Walnut
Tuners: Kluson Sealfast
Pickups: Correct Pat No Humbuckers
Hardware: Gold
Neck Profile: Slim/Medium C
Nut Width: 42.9
Neck Depth 1: 20.2
Neck Depth 12: 27.1
Pots: In cans
We are not box shifters, we take your packing and shipping very seriously..!
We have to. You're considering spending a lot of money with us and you would obviously like your valuable musical instrument to arrive at your door, without drama, fuss or damage.
We have many years (stretching way back in to the last century) of packing and shipping fragile musical items all over the world - in fact the number of sometimes priceless, vintage instruments we have shipped is in the thousands.
When you buy a vintage or second hand item from us, it will be hand packed by one or more of our specialist, in house staff and then shipped in our own custom made cardboard boxes (If applicable).
We normally ship via our preferred carriers UPS, DPD, Parcelforce and Royal Mail for smaller items such as straps and leads. Tracking numbers are always provided.
Shipping prices vary by item and by location, please see the individual products for details but as a guide, prices for a guitar is usually:
UK - £50
Mainland Europe - £75
USA - £200
Rest of World (rates can vary a lot depending on country) - £250
How can I pay?
All our base prices are in £GBP Sterling and exclude delivery.
Payments can be made by bank transfer (up to any amount) or credit/debit card through our website (up to £10,000.) Due to fraud risks we do not take payment by phone. We accept and use many online payment services that work by way of bank transfer and recommend Wise.com who will in generally offer far better exchange rates than banks.
Do your prices include VAT?
All prices include UK VAT but most used or vintage guitars are sold under the UK marginal scheme for secondhand goods which means you will not get an invoice with the VAT amount shown separately, neither will you be able to claim this VAT element back if you are VAT registered, and the VAT element cannot be deducted for export sales.
For new items such as some guitars, pedals, straps, cables etc 20% UK VAT is included and if you are in an export country, which since Brexit now includes Europe and of course the US, this 20% VAT will automatically be deducted at checkout for you. You may have to pay local taxes and duties when your goods arrive in your home country, we advise you to check with your local customs office to be sure.
Can I reserve or put an item on hold?
Yes you can. Items can be put on hold for a deposit payment of 10%. This will hold the item for up to 30 days but this deposit payment is non refundable in the event of the buyer failing to complete the sale.
A further 10% payment at the end of the initial 30 day period will extend this period for another 30 days and subject to individual approval, this arrangement can be extended at our discretion. ATB Guitars holds title to the goods until paid for in full and if the buyer should change his/her mind for any reason, a restocking fee equivalent to to 15% of the total purchase price will be deducted from any refund given.
Do you have a mailing list?
The best way to get on our mailing list is to submit the form at the bottom of every page on our website. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ATBguitars as most new items are posted there as soon as we buy them and before they go on the website. If you are searching for a specific guitar then send us an email and we will attempt to alert you once one has been found.
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