Vintage Gibson Melody Electric Guitars

The Gibson Melody Maker was a low-budget electric guitar designed for students and beginner’s looking to have an occasional strum. Launched in 1959 it was priced at only $99.50 for a single pickup version, available in both full size and ¾ sizes. Originally the Melody Maker bore a striking resemblance to the Les Paul Junior but it later gained a double-cutaway design.

The original Melody Maker was made of Mahogany; both the body and the one-piece neck. It came in a slim line design with quite a boring slab-like shape. The electronics were stored in a compartment in the front of the body. In 1967 the Melody Maker underwent some substantial changes, it became available in three-pickup and12-string models, and it also gained an “SG” shape.

Between 1959 and 1962 the Melody Maker was in actual fact Gibson’s best-selling guitar of that period. The Melody Maker was fully discontinued in 1971 after a successful twelve year run. It was replaced by the now popular SG range of Gibson guitars.

Over the years the Melody Maker came in a few striking finishes; Sunburst, Cherry Red, Fire Engine Red, Pelham Blue, Sparkling Burgundy and finally Walnut – along the way there were also a few custom colour choices such as Inverness Green. The Inverness Green model is extremely rare and as such it is being sold for over four thousand dollars.

The Melody Maker did in fact make a come-back a couple of times over the years including a double-cutaway version from 1977 to 1983 and then a single-cutaway body with humbucking pickup in 1986. The All American II Melody Maker appeared for a few years in the mid-to-late nineties.

Throughout history the Melody Maker has become a staple favourite of beginner’s and established guitarists alike. Its light weight and comfortable shape are a refreshing change for guitarists looking for a little mellow escapism and its tone is really fantastic for such a mid-range guitar.

It was reintroduced in 2007 as a sub-model of the Les Paul and again enjoyed great acclaim, with its great value setup. Options available to alter Melody Makers include special design single-coil pickups for a realistic vintage tone, wraparound bridge or tailpiece units and the alternative of additional chrome hardware.

All in all, the Melody Maker is a light, simple guitar, which is considered to be one of the quietest single coil guitars ever produced. It can sound almost ‘3D-like’ with its pickup/guitar combination and it is not unlike the Fender Telecaster at times. The Melody Maker offers incomparable value for players of all skill levels, ages and styles.

Used Vintage Guitars » Gibson Melody Maker Electric

Vintage Gibson Melody Electric Guitars

Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar