Gibson Super400-CES S/N#A26594, Gibson ES355 TD/SU S/N# 894305

by Peter Saldana

I would like to know if you could tell me anything on this Gibson Super 400 CES.The orange sticker is inside the body. It is oval/round. It was my dad's, he has since passed on. We are trying to figure out the work on the neck. I had a couple of local guys take a look at it and they tell me it is Gibson work, but do not know who did it and why. We were able to establish that the neck has been replaced, but why it was replaced is still a mystery. The neck seems to be around a 1964.

It is a beautiful guitar and has been played. My dad took it every where he went. We were a family of migrant workers so we followed the crops and this guitar got packed in the trailer. One story my dad did tell me is that when he bought it from the local guitar shop, it apparently was not to be sold. He some how got them to sell it and once he bought it, they tried to offer him double what he paid to buy it back. He bought it fom Henri's music in he late 60's. I have a picture dated 1968 with him and this guitar. Not sure if he bought it then or before that.

Every time i try to get information on this guitar. the first question that comes up is do I want to sell it. The answer is no everytime. I am trying to get history on it and a value. I do the have the origianl case although it is pretty beat up. I got an appraisal from someone and I would like to see what you tell me.

Also can you give me a value on the Gibson ES355 w/ original case. The sticker is inside the body. I also have a Gibson LG1 S/N# 243138 but no case for that guitar. the serial number Just trying to get values but most important history on the Super 400. these are guitars my father accumulated over the years and i inherited them. I cannot send the pictures because all I have it in is a PDF file. Can I email you the file PDF to another email address. I am not a computer wiz so not sure how to convert it over to your type of file you need. Please let me know

Thanks,
Peter Saldana

ANSWER

Hi, Peter--

Blue Book general info on the Super 400 CES:

SUPER 400 CES
- single round cutaway grand auditorium style body, arched spruce top, bound f-holes, raised multi-bound mottled plastic pickguard, figured maple back/sides, multiple bound body, 3-piece figured maple/mahogany neck, model name engraved into heel cap, 14/20-fret bound ebony fingerboard with point on bottom, pearl split block fingerboard inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge with pearl triangle wings inlay, gold trapeze tailpiece with engraved model name, multi-bound blackface peghead with pearl split diamond/logo inlay, pearl split diamond inlay on back of peghead, 3-per-side tuners, gold hardware, two single coil (P-90 or Alnico) or humbucker pickups, 2 volume/2 tone controls, 3-position switch, available in Ebony, Natural (introduced 1952), Sunburst (introduced 1951), or Wine Red finishes, 18 in. wide body, 21.75 in. long by 3.375 in. deep, 25.5 in. scale, limited mfg. (approx. 20-50 each year) 1951-1994

Pricing info:

1963-1964
Mint $15,000
Exc+ $12,000
Exc $9,500
Avg.+ $8,000
Avg. $6,500
General $5,000

Additional info:

Between 1951-53, P90 pickups were standard, during 1953-57, Alnico pickups were standard. In 1957, PAF humbucker pickups replaced Alnico pickups. In 1960, sharp cutaway replaced original part/design. In 1962, Pat. No. humbucker pickups replaced previous part/design. In 1969, round cutaway replaced previous part/design. In 1974, neck volute was introduced. In 1981, neck volute was discontinued. Instruments should be determined on a piece-by-piece basis as opposed to the usual market. The Super 400 CES model has been a platform for experimentation - ser. nos. of "one-offs" were custom ordered with special features. Models produced between 1955 and 1962 in Blonde finish will add apprx. 100% to the value

The ES 355 was made at the Kalamazoo Plant, USA
approximately in 1968.

Blue Book general info:

(It is actually TD SV)

ES-355 TDSV
- similar to the ES-355 TD, except has stereo output with a Vari-tone rotary switch, available in Cherry or Walnut (1971-1982) finish, mfg. 1959-1982.

The pricing info:

1967-1970
Mint $4,500
Exc.+ $3,500
Exc. $2,700
Avg.+ $2,200
Avg. $1,800
General $1,500

Lynne

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