Gibson / ES Prototype Solid Wood / 2016 / Sunburst / Guitar For Sale
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Gibson’s great history retains above all the legendary models that have left their mark on people’s minds, but between the pages of the catalogues some designs have remained in the prototype phase. Some of those prototypes have risen to legendary stature after the fact, such as the famous Modern.
They are generally seen at the NAMM show, where Gibson takes the opportunity to test the reactions of dealers to their latest concepts.
This variation on the ES theme was presented at NAMM 2017, and has not yet been transformed into a production model. It is therefore a unique model created at the Custom Shop. In addition to this guitar’s extreme rarity, it is probably one of the best ES models produced in recent times, since Gibson had to go to great lengths to convince their distributors. Visually, the shape is as original as it is successful. It has the two rounded cutaways of the ES-335 but with a narrower width, without shrinking down to the miniaturised scale of the ES-339. A kind of double-cut semi-hollow version of the Les Paul Special? It’s hard to define, and that’s a good thing. The logo is the famous “The Gibson” written in cursive script, as on pre-war archtops, while the pickups are the excellent Custom Buckers. Finally, the flamed maple on the back, sublimated by a very beautiful dark sunburst, is truly stunning.
Matts Guitar Shop, France 
In a milieu where desirable objects are generally locked away in a safe or behind glass, Matthieu Lucas’ collection is a refreshing exception to the rule.
He represents a new generation of guitar lovers, for whom music comes first and the sound is more important than the serial number. Like any fine collection, Matthieu Lucas’ one has a speciality: he tracks down instruments that have belonged to artists, from Jeff Buckley’s Telecaster to Tal Farlow’s Gibson, not to mention Spot - one of the few sunbursts to be found in France and which belonged to a certain Joe Bonamassa.
Through perseverance, Matthieu managed to open doors that are generally kept well shut and gained access to instruments that were not even supposed to be sold. And true to the principle that the love of music comes first, Matthieu is not the type to prevent a guitarist from enjoying his or her prized jewels.
Out of that desire to share, he finally created the Matt’s Guitar Shop showroom, a special place for selling and trading that gives Paris back its reputation for excellence in the area of beautiful guitars. Inspired and inspiring instruments, which continue to bring beautiful notes to the ears of music lovers.
