A beautiful, yet radically designed historic thinline archtop guitar with a super thin neck and short
scale.
The Gibson Byrdland Electric Guitar represented a handful of developments that were radical, even revolutionary,
in its day
History
Many working musicians of the fast-paced and musically adventurous '50s required a new instrument—one that captured
traditional Gibson archtop artistry and craftsmanship, but represented a redrawing of the blueprint for the needs of the day.
Enter the Byrdland, released in 1955 after consultation with first-call Nashville session musicians Billy Byrd and Hank Garland.
Outwardly every bit a Gibson, this model represented a handful of developments that were radical, even revolutionary, in its
day.
The Byrdland retained the traditional carved solid-spruce arched top and wide dimensions (17") of big-bodied jazzers like
its predecessor the L-5CES, but was considerably thinner, at only 2 1/4" deep. The electric guitar was here to stay, and Gibson's
designers quite rightly determined that a guitar that was intended primarily as an electric—rather than acoustic—instrument
should be made in a way that would minimize feedback. Gibson created the Thinline series, which included the Byrdland partnered
by the ES-350T, released the same year. Together they constituted the first of the new thin-bodied breed, and launched a design
trend for archtop electrics that would proliferate to this day. So successful was its design ethos, that it not only offered
a popular alternative for jazz, pop, and country players, it also proved capable of cranking out heavy rock in the hands of
guitarists such as Ted Nugent.
Body
At the request of Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, the Byrdland was made with a reduced scale length, but featured all the finery
of a top-of-the-line Gibson archtop guitar. The Byrdland's super-thin neck and 23 1/2" scale length might have implied a "student
model" instrument, but it was intended purely for speed and playing ease, and its five-ply binding, ebony fingerboard with
pearl block inlay, gold-plated hardware, and triple-loop Byrdland trapeze tailpiece all single it out as a top-shelf guitar.
Hardware
By now, the Byrdland had also acquired an upgrade in electronics, too. Originally offered in 1955 with Alnico V single coil
pickups, it was made with PAF humbucking pickups from 1957 onward. Coupled to the traditional independent volume and tone
controls and a three-way selector switch, these units gave the Byrdland the ability to produce anything from a smooth mellow
purr to a hot, cutting twang.
Near-perfect Recreation
In keeping with the desires of many players, the Gibson Custom Shop offers the finest original-spec rendition of this classic
model that has been available since its production of the early 1960s. From the select maple and walnut used in its neck to
the high-grade spruce of its top, no expense is spared in making this Thinline electric a guitar that Hank Garland and Billy
Byrd would be proud of. Details such as the pearl flower-pot headstock inlay, multi-ply fingerboard binding, rounded Venetian
cutaway, multi-ply bound pickguard, bound f-holes, and sculpted fingerboard end are all true to classic form. In the electronics
department, a pair of Gibson's popular '57 Classic humbucking pickups keep it all sounding as good as it looks. Each Byrdland
includes a Custom Shop case and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Gibson Custom Gibson Byrdland Guitar Features:
- Body: Thinline Archtop Hollowbody with Bound "F"-holes and Venetian cutaway
- Body Size (L x W x D): 21" x 17" x 2-1/8"
- Top: Carved Solid Spruce
- Back & Sides: Curly Maple
- Binding: 5-ply binding
- Neck: Set 5-piece Maple and Walnut
- Neck profile: Super-Thin
- Neck joint location: 16th fret
- Fingerboard: Ebony—sculpted bound
- Scale length: 23 1/2"
- No. of frets: 22
- Nut Width: 1-5/8"
- Radius: 12"
- Inlays: Pearl Blocks on neck, Gibson logo w/antique binding and Pearl Flower-Pot on headstock
- Pickguard: Deluxe Bound
- Hardware: gold
- Tailpiece: Triple-Loop Trapeze
- Bridge: Floating Inlayed Ebony With Tune-O-Matic Saddles
- Knobs: Gold speed
- Tuners: Vintage Grover with "Crank" buttons
- Neck pickup: '57 Classic
- Bridge pickup: '57 Classic
- Controls: two volume, two tone, 3-way toggle pickup selector
- Finish: Lacquer
- Case: Hardshell
Gibson Custom Gibson Byrdland Guitar Includes:
- Custom Shop hardshell case and certificate of authenticity
Don't miss your chance to own a highly collectable guitar you can't stop playing!