Everybody wants a '59 Gibson single-cut from Kalamazoo, right? Well, here's one that doesn't cost as much as a custom home in the suburbs! This 1959 Gibson Melody Maker 3/4 has a ton of vibe, and it's hard not to love the comfortable short-scale feel.
To satisfy the burgeoning market for affordable, beginner-grade electrics, Gibson rolled out the Melody Maker and the Melody Maker 3/4 in 1959. Constructed of a slab Mahogany body with a set Mahogany neck, the Melody Maker was designed to be cost effective. It was the first Gibson guitar to feature a drop-in pickguard, which cleverly houses all of the electronics. Its simple—but effective—single-coil pickup uses a single Alnico magnet, which produces mellower output than other Gibson pickups. With the set neck, the guitar has impressive sustain and resonance, too.
The Melody Maker 3/4 has a 12-fret neck joint and 22-3/4" scale. While the intention was to accommodate smaller players, the result is an incredibly comfortable, manageable guitar that is eminently couch-friendly.
This 1959 Melody Maker 3/4 is in excellent condition with no history of damage or issues. Its original tuning machines have been replaced with '60s Grover Rotomatic tuners. For tuning stability, these tuners are a bit of an upgrade, and they also add just enough weight to the headstock to improve the guitar's overall balance. All of the electronics are original, and the nut and bridge appear to be original as well. Its sunburst finish has mellowed to a yellower hue that is really nice. Its original frets are nicely playable and have plenty of life yet, and just look at that grain on the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard!
This 1959 Gibson Melody Maker 3/4 is a collectible piece of Gibson history and also an extremely fun vintage guitar. It includes a slightly oversized hardshell case that looks to be from the late-'60s/early-'70s. '59 Bursts aren't getting any cheaper, so why not jump on this old made-in-Kalamazoo relic?