Introduced in 1962, the Gibson Dove followed in the footsteps of the Hummingbird as another top of the range square shoulder dreadnought, also featuring an ornate engraved pick guard. This 1978 Gibson Dove Custom is a great example of a later period Dove, finished in a rare factory Black lacquer.
The build of the Dove differs from that of the Hummingbird, featuring a Spruce top with cherry stained Maple back and sides, making for a brighter tone with plenty of clarity and a great dynamic response. This 1978 Dove is every bit as resonant and articulate as some '60s examples we have had. The neck features a slightly fuller feeling neck profile than found on late '60s Dove's, and is very comfortable to play.
This guitar features the non adjustable, filled in 'moustache' bridge design found on later Doves, along with other deluxe appointments like Grover rotomatic tuners, split parallelogram pearl fingerboard inlays, and an engraved dove motif on the pick guard.
This guitar is in very good condition for an instrument of its age, with with only minor signs on play wear to the top, back and neck. Marked as a factory second to the rear of the headstock, we can see no obvious reason why this would have received this stamp. There is a small top crack running parallel with the centre seam, though this has been professionally repaired and is stable. There is also a small amount of shrinkage to the pickguard towards the bridge end, although it shows no real deterioration other than this. Otherwise, this guitar is internally and externally original, and includes a non original hard case.
As with all our vintage instruments, this guitar has been given a thorough service by the Vintage Instrument Workshop and is guaranteed for 2 years in line with our vintage instrument warranty. Get an additional 3 years workshop warranty cover with the No.Tom Guitars Extended Warranty.
