{"product_id":"used-1956-super-400ces-p-90s-with-bigsby","title":"Gibson 1956 Super 400CES P-90 Hollowbody Electric Guitar Used","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGibson's Biggest Stage: The 1956 Super 400 CES\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are guitars, and then there are \u003cem\u003estatements\u003c\/em\u003e. The Gibson Super 400 CES has always been the latter. Introduced as an electric version in 1951, it was Gibson's most expensive and most ornate production guitar — the one that said, unambiguously, that you had arrived. An 18-inch fully hollow archtop with a hand-carved spruce top and figured maple back and sides, gold-plated hardware everywhere you look, and multi-ply binding on virtually every surface. This isn't a subtle guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular example dates to 1956 — right in the heart of the Super 400 CES's golden era — and it wears it's original Alnico pickups that were standard issue in that year, they give this guitar a rawer, more cutting voice than later PAF humbucker variants. Add in a period-correct Bigsby vibrato (patent D-169,120 — not factory-original to this guitar, but very much of the era), and you have an instrument that sits at a fascinating crossroads of collector significance and genuine playability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a used instrument from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual guitar you will receive. If you are drawn to large-body archtop jazz guitars, vintage American craftsmanship, or simply instruments with serious historical weight, this one demands your attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Body: 18 Inches of Hand-Carved History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Super 400 CES remains the largest guitar Gibson has ever put into regular production. The body measures 18 inches wide, 21¾ inches long, and 3⅜ inches deep — numbers that translate to a genuinely room-filling acoustic presence before you even plug it in. The top is carved spruce, the back is carved figured maple, and the sides are maple, all solid wood. There are no shortcuts here — unlike the laminate-topped ES models of the era, the Super 400's tops and backs were individually carved by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fully hollow construction contributes to the Super 400's signature tone: warm, deep, and open, with a natural resonance that acoustic archtop players will immediately recognize. The f-holes are triple-bound, the body sports multi-ply binding, and the raised pickguard is a mottled plastic model with its own binding. Every surface of this guitar was treated as an opportunity for decoration, which is part of what makes it so visually striking — and so immediately identifiable — at any distance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNeck, Fretboard, and Hardware\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe neck on a 1956 Super 400 CES is a two-piece maple construction with a mahogany center strip — a configuration Gibson used through 1961. The nut width comes in just under 1-11\/16 inches, and the scale length is 25.5 inches. The fingerboard is ebony, wearing pearl split-block position markers and bound with multi-ply black and white binding. The headstock features Gibson's traditional five-piece split diamond inlay. Players familiar with 1950s Gibson necks will know these tend toward rounder, fuller profiles than the later guitars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll hardware is gold-plated, as is standard for the Super 400. The bridge is an adjustable Tune-O-Matic type (introduced on this model starting in 1953). The Bigsby vibrato — a patent D-169,120 unit, period-correct to the late 1950s era — replaces the original Super 400 trapeze tailpiece on this example. It is not factory-original to this guitar as noted in our product data, but it is a genuine vintage Bigsby from the correct period, not a modern reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Features:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hollow archtop; hand-carved solid spruce top, carved figured maple back and sides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 inches — the largest body in Gibson's regular production history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeck:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two-piece maple with mahogany center strip; dovetail\/set neck joint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFretboard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bound ebony with pearl split-block inlays; 20 frets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.5 inches; nut width approximately 1-11\/16 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickups: \u003c\/strong\u003eOriginal Alnico Pickups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControls:\u003c\/strong\u003e Individual volume and tone controls per pickup; three-way toggle switch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBigsby:\u003c\/strong\u003e Period-correct patent D-169,120 Bigsby vibrato tailpiece; not factory-original to this guitar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardware:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-plated throughout; Tune-O-Matic style adjustable bridge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multi-ply binding on body, neck, headstock, f-holes, and fingerboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1956; Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eused vintage electric guitar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual instrument you will receive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsidering its nearly 70 years of age, this 1956 Gibson Super 400 CES remains in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexcellent condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It shows normal signs of use consistent with a well-cared-for vintage instrument, including some nicks, dings, finish wear, binding wear, and other cosmetic imperfections accumulated through decades of ownership and play.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe electronics are functioning as intended, the neck is straight, and the guitar currently plays with low, comfortable action. It has been inspected and evaluated to ensure it is performing properly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of the guitar's cosmetic condition, as they are considered part of the description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDue to the age and collectible nature of vintage instruments,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Please contact us with any questions prior to purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gibson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1956 Super 400CES\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e U-1956-SUPER400CES|A23464\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Used\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you \u003cem\u003ePlay Music for Life.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47294825758851,"sku":"U-1956-SUPER400CES|A23464","price":22000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/3455\/3475\/files\/DSC02030.jpg?v=1781797190","url":"https:\/\/cahousemusic.com\/products\/used-1956-super-400ces-p-90s-with-bigsby","provider":"C. A. House Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}