The Super Chief is Doug Kauer's pride and joy. With a semi-hollow body that measures 15.5" inches across, this top-of-the-line model produces a big sound that is unrivaled in the Kauer lineup for clarity and punch. Across Kauer models, the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece is a popular upgrade, and that gave us an interesting idea for a custom Super Chief.
In the late-'40s, American inventor Paul Bigsby pioneered the electric guitar. The legendary solid-body guitar he built for Merle Travis hugely influenced Leo Fender (as did Bigsby's instantly-recognizable flared headstock). In the '50s, Bigsby focused mainly on his vibrato tailpiece design, but his forward-thinking guitar designs permanently impacted the development of the solid-body electric guitar. As a foward-thinking guitar builder in his own right, Doug Kauer is a tremendous fan of Paul Bigsby's work, so we asked Doug to build a Super Chief inspired by Paul's legendary guitars.
One of Doug's favorite Paul Bigsby guitars is actually a much later '50s example built with stunning Birdseye Maple and a white pickguard inscribed with the name "Larry." That guitar served as the inspiration for this amazing one-of-a-kind Super Chief. Featuring hand wound Mojo P.A.B. pickups and knockout Birdseye Maple on the top and back, this Super Chief captures the Bigsby vibe in a way that only Kauer Guitars can.
- Model: Super Chief
- Top: Birdseye Maple
- Back: Birdseye Maple
- Neck: 5-ply Birdseye Maple/Roasted Maple
- Body Binding: Aged White
- Finish: Blonde
- Neck Profile: Standard C
- Neck Depth: 1st Fret - .88" 12th Fret - .94"
- Width at Nut: 1.70"
- Neck Binding: Aged White
- Fretboard: Wenge
- Fretboard Radius: 12"
- Inlays: Keystone
- Fretwire: Jescar 47095NS
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Tuners: Hipshot Open Back Locking w/ Amber buttons
- Bridge: TonePros Nashville
- Tailpiece: Bigsby B7
- Control Layout: 2 Vol / 2 Tone / 3-Way Switch
- Pickups: Mojo P.A.B.
- Weight: 8 lbs 14.1 oz
- Extra Notes: Custom Bigsby-style armrest and "Kauer" inscribed pickguard