1977 Gibson Super 400 (Ex Carl Perkins) Two Tone Sunburst

Carl Perkins interest - 1977 Gibson Super 400 S-400 CES hollow body electric guitar, made in USA, ser. no. 100726; Body: two-tone sunburst finish, a few light dings; Neck: good; Fretboard: ebony; Frets: good; Electrics: working, pickup covers replaced (original tarnished and oxidised covers retained); Hardware: generally good, replacement guard (original removed due to heavy gassing), original pickguard arm retained, further minor gold plating loss; Case: original hard case; Weight: 3.77kg; Overall condition: good

*Ex lot 3029, Tennants Auctioneers, 15th May 2019, sold on behalf of Simon Lawrence. The guitar was offered as formerly belonging to legendary guitarist Carl Perkins and was sold with copies of a newspaper article that featured in the Wilkesboro North Carolina Gazette from 2000. The article shows Simon Lawrence, a 'Businessman and Collector of Vintage Guitars' with the guitar, along with Mike Palmer from whom he acquired the guitar.

After acquiring this guitar at auction in 2019, the current vendor contacted Mike Palmer at his shop in Wilkes, North Carolina and subsequently provided further information via email. He states 'The story is: Jody (Reynolds) traded two Les Pauls to Carl for the Super 400. I talked with Jody and negotiated the deal to buy the Super 400 and Simon (Lawrence) ended up with the guitar. Being I was a dealer for Gibson the guys figured out I had the guitar and said Paul McCartney had asked to buy the guitar. I offered $20,000 to Simon to get it back and he declined to sell. Anyway, Simon has passed away a few years ago'

An image of Carl Perkins sat playing the guitar alongside Mike Palmer in his guitar store, thought to be taken in 1989 when Carl played in Palm Springs is included