1975 Gibson MK-53 Flamed Maple

According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Gibson MK-53 was made in very limited quantities: “Approx. 1,425 mfg. 1975-78” (p. 254. Gruhn’s Guide and Vintage Guitar Price Guide basically agree). George Gruhn adds that the MK models were custom designed by Michael Kasha and Richard Schneider when Schneider was Gibson’s Master Luthier and produced only in those four years.

In addition to the somewhat unusual shape, with a wider lower bout (16 ¼”) than the dreadnought size, a narrowed waist for easier handling, and a 25 ½” scale, the MK-53 has a number of other special design features: modified fan-pattern bracing, an asymmetrical fan-shaped “Kasha” bridge, a removable black pick guard, optional saddles, a narrow 1920’s snakehead headstock with points at the upper corners, a two-stripe rosewood soundhole cap, and an old style script logo (verified by Gruhn, p. 169). In other words, it will excite lots of interest when you take it out of its case, because nobody will have seen a Gibson like this before.

Overall, it’s 40 ¾” long—about standard dreadnought size, 11 ¾” at the upper bout, but only 10” at the waist; it tapers from 4 ¼” to a full 5” deep, which with the modified bracing enhances its booming bass register—kind of like a jumbo without the jumbo bulk and weight. While it may have been designed more for solo work in the 1970s folk music scene than the blue grass stage, it still has enough carrying power for anybody and is an outstanding example of Gibson craftsmanship.

The MK-53 features a solid spruce top with solid maple back and sides, with a three-piece maple neck, all in a light natural finish. The solid rosewood fan bridge has black pearl-dot pins (upgraded on this guitar with black abalone-dot pins), and the 14/20-fret rosewood finger board has pearl dot inlay. It has the two-stripe rosewood soundhole cap rather than the usual rosette, and multi-stripe body binding, top and back. There is no pick guard to distract from the unusual black veneer headstock with the vintage Gibson script logo. The nickel 3-on-a-side Gibson Deluxe tuners are consistent with the period, but one of them looks like it may be a modern replacement (c’f pictures 15 and 16). Incidentally, the serial number visible in picture 16 (D348454) indicates that the actual year for this guitar’s creation was probably 1975.

After 49 years of making music, there are a few cosmetic items: several minor dings, and some weird finish discolorations on the back lower bout and below the end pin. However, the maple is gorgeous, the action is fine at a hair over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, the neck is straight, and while I am not a luthier, I see no issues anywhere.

And, of course, playing music for almost 50 years has made that Gibson sound even better, more resonant, and more powerful, with the added interest of the maple overtones. Despite its relative rarity and good condition, this guitar is not for a collector to put in a museum; this is a player’s guitar, and I sincerely hope that its next owner is someone who will continue to play it well and often.

I figured that a guitar this beautiful deserves a hard shell case, so I have provided one. There is a ding below the handle, but it is essentially new, with fresh plush interior, five latches—and even a key. Everything works fine, and it affords great protection for this fine vintage guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $75 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal 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 somehow 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 fine vintage guitar.