1969 Gibson C-0 Good, Soft, $595.00
According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Gibson C-0 classical guitar was manufactured in various forms from 1962 to 1971. Gruhn’s Guide and Vintage Guitar Price Guide basically agree, although there is some disagreement as to specific features. Like most classical guitars, it’s smaller than the dreadnought or jumbo series, measuring 39” in overall length, 19” in body length, 11” at the upper bout, 9 5/8” at the waist, 14 ¼” at the lower bout, and tapers from 3 ½” to 4 ½” deep. While it may have been designed more for the coffee house of the 1960s folk music scene or for the classical studio than for the blue grass stage, it still has enough carrying power for anybody and is an excellent example of Gibson craftsmanship.
The C-0 features a solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides, and neck in a light natural finish, a rosewood wrap-around bridge, and a 12/19-fret (including a zero fret) rosewood finger board with a 25 ½” scale. The serial number of this guitar (810447) dates it as either 1966 or 1969, but Gibson has never been noted for its consistency. At any rate, after 45+ years of making music, there are a few cosmetic concerns (but no structural issues): there is the non-classical strap button which suggests that this guitar was designed and played as a “folk” instrument rather than a classical.
There are lots of small dings and bruises (especially around the edges), a carefully repaired chip on the nut, and some finish discoloration, crazing, and even flaking. However, despite the evidence of frequent play over 50 years or so, there are NO CRACKS, repaired or otherwise, which is really unusual for these kinda fragile instruments. Moreover, the action is fine, the neck is straight, the top is flat, and there’s virtually no wear at the frets (presumably due to its nylon strings).
And, of course, there’s the famous GIBSON logo at the top. While I would not recommend this guitar as a classical concert guitar—it never was, after all—it’s still a really cool instrument with a prestigious name and plenty of character. And playing music for about 50 years has made that Gibson sound even better, more resonant, and more powerful. This is obviously a player’s guitar, and I sincerely hope that its next owner is someone who will play it well and often.
The black chip board case in which it came to me is probably original. It fits this guitar’s dimensions quite well, and it is in pretty good shape, inside and out, with latches, hinges, and a handle which still function well. It affords more than adequate vintage protection for this vintage guitar.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage guitar and case, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.
Thank you for your interest in this cool Gibson guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.