1964 Gibson C-1S Petite
According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Gibson C-1S Petite classical guitar was manufactured from 1961 to 1966, the “S” signifying that this is the small-bodied version of the C-1. Gruhn’s Guide and Vintage Guitar Price Guide basically agree, although there is some disagreement as to specific features. While it may have been designed more for intimate venues like the coffee houses of the 1960s folk music scene, it still has enough carrying power for anybody and is a beautiful example of Gibson craftsmanship.
The C-1S features a solid spruce top and beautifully grained solid mahogany back, sides, and neck in a light natural finish, classical ladder bracing, a rosewood wrap-around bridge, and a 12/19-fret (including a zero fret) Brazilian Rosewood finger board with side dot markers and a 23” scale. The nut is a full 1 7/8”, the lower bout is 13 ¼”, the upper bout is 10”, while the slender waist is 8,” making it a great couch guitar or instrument for a younger player to grow into. It has a wide patterned rosette Gruhn says was first added in 1964 when this guitar was made, and black binding on the top and back. The serial number on the label and the back of the headstock (189464) plus the above features pretty reliably date this particular guitar as being from that year (1964).
Even after 55 years of making music, there are very few cosmetic concerns in this guitar: there is some crazing or cracking in the finish, but virtually no wear at the frets or fret board (presumably due to its nylon strings); it basically looks and plays like a well cared-for guitar of about a tenth its age. The action is fine for a classical guitar (with a high saddle if you wish to lower it), the neck is straight, the top is flat, and there are no cracks anywhere. And, of course, playing music for over fifty years has made that Gibson sound even better, more resonant, and more powerful despite its modest size.
The black “alligator” case is original, according to the previous owner. While this means it is a well-used chip board case with few amenities, it is untorn, fully functional, and it affords adequate protection. Needless to say, it is a great vintage complement for this fine vintage guitar.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it.
Thank you for your interest in this unusual vintage Gibson guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.