Vintage Gibson Byrdland – USA 1966

The famous Gibson Byrdland was first introduced in 1955, and it was designed in collaboration with two prominent jazz guitarists, Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, hence the name ‘Byrdland.’ 

Over the years, the Byrdland has been played by many prominent jazz and fusion guitarists, including Ted Nugent, Herb Ellis, and George Benson, among others. 

The Gibson Byrdland features a thinner body than most Gibson archtops, with a laminated maple back and sides, and a carved spruce top. It has a 23 1/2-inch scale length, which is slightly shorter than the standard Gibson scale length. It has a three-piece maple neck with an ebony fingerboard. The guitar has a floating bridge and tailpiece, and two humbucking pickups with individual volume and tone controls, as well as a three-way pickup selector switch. 

This 1966 Byrdland features a lovely florentine cutaway, which has a sharper point than the standard venetian cutaway. 

The Byrdland's tone is particularly well-suited for jazz and other genres that require a smooth and refined sound. When played with a clean tone, it can produce a sweet and mellow sound with a pleasant top-end sparkle, while overdriving the pickups produces a more aggressive, yet still musical sound. 

Features: 

Body: 

• Laminated maple back and sides 
• Carved spruce top 

• Florentine cutaway 

Neck: 

• Three-piece maple neck 
• Ebony fingerboard with block inlays 
• 23 1/2" scale length 

• 1 11/16" nut width 
• 20 frets 

Hardware: 

• Two humbucking pickups 
• Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup 

• Three-way pickup selector switch 
• ABR-1 bridge with ebony base 
• Gold-plated hardware 
• Grover Imperial tuners 

Finish: 

• Sunburst 

Other: 

• Bound body, neck, and headstock 
• Multi-ply binding on top and back 
• Mother-of-pearl "Byrdland" headstock inlay 

• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish 

This guitar presents in great condition for a 57-year-old instrument. It has some small bumps and bruises and pick marks from years of playing. The checking on the body is wonderful - this instrument is ageing beautifully. The guitar is structurally sound and plays super well with a nice comfortable low action. There is some fret wear but still plenty of life left in the frets. 

This 1966 Gibson Byrdland guitar is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and tonal excellence. An absolute joy to play and a work of art that truly inspires creativity and musical expression. 

Comes in its original hardshell case in good condition.