One of the Ten Greatest Guitars of All Time

Weighs just 5.90 lbs. and has a very fat nut width of just under 1 3/4 inches and a scale length of 25 1/2 inches. One-piece solid spruce top, solid figured maple back and sides, three-piece figured maple neck with two mahogany center strips, and pointed-end bound ebony fretboard with 20 frets and inlaid pearl cloud position markers and abalone side markers. Headstock with inlaid pearl "The Gibson" logo and large pearl fleur-de-lis inlay. Large inlaid pearl fleur-de-lis on the back of the headstock. Individual Kluson Sealfast tuners with tulip-shaped metal buttons with engraved fleur-de-lis on the sides. One floating "Johnny Smith" mini-humbucking pickup with an output of 14.50k. Multi-bound laminated maple pickguard. One volume control on pickguard. Gold plastic bell-shaped knob with metal top. Frequensated ebony bridge on ebony base with pearl fleur-de-lis inlays and mulit-loop tailpiece with "Citation" engraved between two fleurs-de-lis. 24 karat gold-plated hardware. Inside the bass f-hole is a tan oval label, which reads: "THE GIBSON MASTER MODEL/Style 'Citation' [written in ink]/Number '1995004' [written in ink] and below that: "Gibson U.S.A./Nashville, TN." On the back of the headstock is a pearloid plaque: "Reg. No./ 1995004." This guitar is in mint (9.50) condition. The back of this guitar is highly figured. Housed in the original black leather hardshell case with blue plush lining (9.25).

"One of Gibson's most luxurious electric archtops was the Citation, announced by them in 1969 as 'the finest instrument of its kind in the world.' It was available only to special order, and in 1971 cost $2500. By 1984 only 20 had been made" (Tony Bacon and Paul Day, The Ultimate Guitar Book, p. 132).

Only eight Citations were shipped between 1969 and 1971. The first reissues were produced between 1979 and 1983 (in 1979 one example was shipped) and the second reissues were produced between 1994 and 1999.

"Gibson's Historic Collection would not be complete without the addition of the legendary Citation. This handcrafted guitar is as complex to produce as it is beautiful to see. Exquisite appointments such as multiple bound front and back headstock and "Cloud" inlays of pearl or abalone limit production of the Citation to twelve instruments per year. Because no two Citations receive the same appointments, this guitar is an immediate collector's item...The Citation is truly a handcrafted Gibson instrument. The body is carved from hand-picked spruce and premium choice AAA grade figured maple. Intricate binding is applied to every part of this instrument, including the heelcap. The pickguard is fashioned out of the same AAA grade wood used on the Citation's body while the tailpiece is 24 karat gold plated. Finish is hand applied in thin layers exclusively by Gibson's top technicians. Besides elegance in design, the Citation reveals its acoustical properties to the discerning ear. The intricately bound body projects like a Super 400 with the highs of an L-5. The tap-tuned top maintains precise control over the Citation's beautiful harmonics while playing comfort i5 provided by a traditional Gibson body design. The final touch to the Citation's unique sound is supplied by a floating pickup attached to the Citation's pickguard. The Citation is the most prized of Gibson's arched top instruments. No other guitar offers the beauty, elegance and immediate collection appeal as the Citation. Only a few connoisseurs will be given the opportunity to own one. If you are dedicated to the art of guitar you should seriously consider including one of these exquisite instruments in your collection" (Historic Collection Carved Tops at http://www.gibson.com/products/custom/1995/historic/carved/1969b.html).

"One of the precious few models of the post-McCarty period (1966 and after) worth talking to a collector about" (George Gruhn, "The Dream Collection," in Walter Carter's Gibson Guitars: 100 Years of an American Icon, p. 268).