c.1930 Gibson Nick Lucas Special
The Brazilian rosewood 13 fret Nick Lucas Special is among the most iconic vintage Gibson instruments. Built in 1929 and 1930, at a time when the modern flat top guitar was in its infancy, the Nick Lucas design incorporated tried-and-true Archtop elements and flat-top experimentalism. Trapeze tailpiece, adjustable bridge, and floating pickguard were borrowed from the archtops Gibson had become famous for, while the guitar's extra-deep body and 13 fret neck were short-lived experiments. It would be some 70 years before the next generation of 13 fret neck guitars with extra deep bodies would reappear.
This example dates from right around 1930, we suspect, and features the then-new larger body, X bracing, and a body depth tapering from 4-5/8" to 4-1/4". The back and sides are solid quartersawn Rosewood, the top is Red Spruce. Cremona sunburst top, natural back and sides. At $125, the NLS was the most expensive flat-top in Gibson's catalog; it featured engraved Waverly tuners, pearl logo, Fleur de Lys, and fingerboard inlays, bound fingerboard and soundhole, and three-ply body bindings.
The guitar is completely original and unmodified. There are no cracks or repairs, and the finish is unaltered. The finish exhibits light scratching and minor dings, but there is very little playwear. Frets are full height and virtually unworn, the original nut has never been removed, and the tuners work well. The neck is straight and the guitar is well set up. It's an immensely fun guitar to play, and surprisingly versatile. It has a forward and choppy voice thanks to the archtop bridge/tailpiece set up, but expect significantly more bass response and much more airy and open mids thanks to the X bracing and deep body. It's a sensitive guitar that sings sweetly at low volume, but a heavy right hand attack is well rewarded. The guitar is great for comping standards, but equally at home picking John Hurt (or tiptoeing through the tulips, as it were).
A wonderful sounding instrument, fantastically rare, and in remarkable condition.
With original "Red Line" hard shell case