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Custom Extremely Rare Gibson Cello Bass Prototype Walnut-Finish Sitka Spruce with Flame Maple Back
- Bass Guitars,Acoustic Bass Guitars,Gibson,
Custom Extremely Rare Gibson Cello Bass Prototype Walnut-Finish Sitka Spruce with Flame Maple Back
- one set
- 889USD
- Hardshell Case of Custom Extremely Rare Gibson Cello Bass Prototype Walnut-Finish Sitka Spruce with
- Within 3days after payment
- paypal,UnionPay, Visa/MasterCard, Amex, Discover,T/T
- 145
- Guitar Solo Shop2020-07-10 09:46:19
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Product Description
When the Gibson Factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan closed down in 1981 they sold off all of their unsold and unfinished inventory. This cello bass was one of 6 or 8 made. It is a prototype for a hybrid instrument made in the '60s that was later abandoned.
These cello basses were carved by hand by a luthier at Gibson named Bill Westman. Westman was deaf and carved the bodies by feeling the vibrations when he tapped on the wood. You can see Westman's personal mark "W" on the inside of the body, overlapped by a "B".
Westman worked in the Gibson factory in the '50s and '60s, but the wood for the Cello Basses came from a pile of vintage wood cut in the '40s and saved for special instruments. They were stashed in the back of the warehouse and only discovered when the warehouse was cleaned out and closed in 1981. I have had it ever since.
Some of these instruments were reportedly unfretted, but this one is fretted. It can be set up for either right or left-handed dexterity. It has a few light surface scratches .
More information on Westman can be found in an article on a 1958 Gibson EMS-1235 Six-String + Octave Six-String double-necked guitar which states,
'This guitar has a photocopy of a letter from Gibson executive (1955-1965) Ward Arbanas which states: "Your instrument was crafted by Bill Westman (DEAF) who used his fine sense of touch in carving the spruce top. As well, his hand work on the body and necks made the Double Neck EMS 1235 a very special instrument. By the way, Bill's Dad was also a Gibson Employee years back whose specialty was Violin, Cello, Bass, etc. Sincerely, Ward Arbanas."'
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According to an article written by John Brown in Premier Guitar in 2012 on how to restore these unusual instruments (a link to which is included here: http//), the specs are as follows,
• 34"-scale rosewood fretboard with a 7.25" radius and plastic dot inlays
• Three-piece neck consisting of a maple/rosewood/maple laminate
• Cello scroll headstock
• Two-piece quartersawn Sitka spruce top with maple sides and bookmatched flame-maple back
• Laminated wood purfling on top and back
• Two parallel Sitka spruce tone bars that run longitudinally underneath the soundboard
This is a rare chance to own a unique and beautiful instrument and piece of guitar history. Comes with the original shipping box.
I will ship to other countries, but please email with your general address before you buy so I can look up shipping cost. I ship Fed Ex Ground or International because I have had the fewest problems with them.
I would consider trades of Gibson R8 and/or R9 Les Pauls.
Product Specs
-
Condition:Excellent
Make:Gibson
Model:Cello Bass
Finish:Walnut Finish Sitka Spruce with Flame Maple Back
Categories:Acoustic Bass Guitars
Year:1960s
Made In:United States
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- Guitar Solo Shop
- AddressShan Dong Province,China
- Phone(Working Time)86-13305315989
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