1938 Gibson Super 400 Archtop Jazz Guitar from the collection of British producer Tony Arnold (Rory Gallagher, King Crimson, Toyah, Robert Fripp). This was Gibson's flagship guitar and the most expensive in the world at $400 when it was first sold in 1934... more than the cost of a new car and a price that could purchase a house in London! Few have survived into the next century.
This guitar has started to go viral on our TikTok channel, where it currently has 350,000 views! When we showed the guitar to Gibson's Mark Agnesi at the grand opening of the Gibson Garage in London, Mark commented on how remarkable the Kluson tuners are with their amber buttons and ornate base. Mark said this model of tuner was made very briefly for only the most expensive instruments in the world, and that the set on this guitar is probably worth around five grand on their own. To own an original pre-war Gibson Super 400 from the first run is to own the ultimate bragging rights in the world of collecting guitars! Many players will update the guitar to a full electric guitar by implementing their choice of a free-floating pickup, which you can certainly do.
This is the earliest and best example of a Super 400 that we are aware of being available for sale anywhere in the world to the general public. If you want to stand out on stage and in the studio, this is the one!
The Super 400 was designed in late 1934 in the pre-war era to be the centrepiece of Gibson's strategy to dominate the archtop guitar market and uniquely incorporated no cost considerations given the global economic fallout of The Great Depression and the looming war. The Super 400 was the largest guitar Gibson ever built and was a first of its kind having an 18" lower bout whilst also setting a new standard of excellence in guitar making through fine craftsmanship and no expense spared with construction materials.
A total of four hundred and one Super 400s were made between 1935 and 1941 with this being one of seventy-eight made in 1938 right before World War II kicked off. It is a highly influential guitar model that inspired many other master guitar builders (including Elmer Stromberg and John D'Angelico). Elvis famously performed on a Super 400 during his '68 Comeback Special on NBC on December 3rd, 1968 where he returned to live performances for the first time after a seven year hiatus to focus on movies.
This antique, vintage Gibson guitar is part of the world-famous instrument collection at Essex Recording Studios! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TWITCH and YouTube!
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International buyers are welcome! We ship to any country in the world! This guitar will be packed and shipped with love, care and respect! The guitar is in great condition for a 86 year old guitar! See its viral video on our TikTok channel!
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