1963 Gibson Everly Brothers Natural

Unrepeatable. Rock history. Phil and Don Everly are American icons with movie star looks and killer hooks. The Everly Brothers were stars of country, pop, and rock & roll. Starting in 1956, they hit #1 in 1957 with “Bye Bye Love” with Don’s unmatched rhythm guitar tuned to an open chord, leaving an indelible impression on many future guitar heroes like Keith Richards, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Gram Parsons. The hits kept coming - “Wake Up, Little Susie”, “Problems”, “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, “Bird Dog”, “Cathy’s Clown”. In 1962 Gibson made the Everly Brothers model, a mini-jumbo model patterned after the J-185.These sexy flattops had the big pickguards, star inlays, and were a huge part of the Everly Brothers mystique. In 1963 they offered a natural finish at 10% more but only 46 were ever made. We show a photo of the brothers playing ’63 natural Everlys. The Everly Brothers and their guitars continued with hit records all through the 1960s. Then in the early ‘70s Don commissioned a gift for Phil, a custom-made Everlys guitar. Luthier Robert Steinegger (who worked on the road as a tech for the band) made Everly Brothers model lookalikes and Don ordered one to give to Phil. Gibson had gone through an ownership change and Norlin discontinued the model in 1972. Don gave Steinegger his old touring case for his ‘60s Everly as most guitar builders don’t make cases (yes, this case). However, on July 13, 1973 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, the Everly Brothers broke up…on stage. Who would have guessed working cheek to cheek (literally) with your brother for decades might end up in a fight? Phil threw his custom guitar down on the stage (not smashed, but still). “Steinny” the builder was in the audience when his labor of love got broken in anger. He gathered the pieces and took it home in this old early ‘60s guitar case. The Everly Brothers did not speak for 10 years until the “comeback tour”. In that time Steinegger sold Phil and Don’s old guitar case . This piece of American music history sat on display in the Willie’s Guitars acoustic room for decades. It brought us luck. Legendary guitarist Albert Lee brought the Everlys back together and was the musical director, but only after a 10-year cooling-off. Oddly, the Everly Brothers were bigger in the UK than anywhere else. But they were huge influence to songwriters and guitarists everywhere. No study of early rock and country is complete without the Everlys. See the PBS documentary “The Everly Brothers: Harmony From Heaven”. Look them up on Wikipedia and YouTube. Be amazed.

But wait, there’s more. It comes with a 1963 Gibson EB that is as clean as any Everly Brothers model we’ve ever seen. Plus, it’s one of the best-sounding ‘60s Gibsons we’ve had. No pickguard rot, and that perfect 1963 Gibson neck - round, not too big, not too small - perfect. 16 & 1/4” body width, 4 & 3/8” body depth, figured maple back and sides, mahogany neck, all stained cherry, Brazilian fretboard with star inlay, 24 & 3/4” scale, natural spruce top, original nickel-back Klusons. Striking in tone, striking in looks and condition, and effortless to play. With only 46 made we see more ’59 Les Paul Standards than blonde Everly Brothers models. To our friends in the UK, yes, we can ship to you. Simply breathtaking. The ultimate gift for an Everly Brothers fan. Our two favorite Everly songs? “Claudette” and “Price of Love”. They left a towering legacy of music. Included in the case is a copy of a letter from Robert Steinegger (Paul and George had “Steiny” J-185s) and a small piece of the smashed guitar.