An excellent condition 2025 faithful reproduction of the very first Gibson artist model. Nick Lucas was one of the most popular American entertainers in the world in the 1920s. Known as The Crooning Troubadour, he performed on the vaudeville circuit, played solo and also played jazz with big bands, played command performances for European royalty, and was among the very first musicians to play and record guitar solos. He was also one of the first radio stars to perform with a guitar, and his recordings influenced the likes of Merle Travis. Today, his artistry is recognized as contributing to the popularity of the guitar, which is perfect for vocal accompaniment and an excellent solo instrument. Frank Campbell, Gibson’s General Sales Manager at the time, approached Lucas and tried to convince him to switch to playing Gibson guitars. Lucas said he would–if Gibson would build one to his specifications, and Gibson readily agreed. The result was the Nick Lucas Special, which was introduced in 1926 and was Gibson’s first artist signature model. One of the things that Lucas requested was a compact but deeper body for better bass response. The Nick Lucas Special went through a range of variations in body woods, bridges, and other features, but they all had a deeper body in common, which contributes to the model’s unique voice, which is rich and surprisingly full and complex for a small-bodied instrument.
Fast forward to 2025, The Gibson Custom Shop introduces the 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged. Based on those early artist models, the Mahogany body has a similar shape as the Gibson L-00, but with a deeper 4 1/2″ deep body. Built with a thermally aged Adirondack Red Spruce top with Argentine Grey burst, the Gold Sparkle inlays- one of the hallmarks of the original model, adorn the L-2 style rosette and top edge.
Features include 12-fret Mahogany neck with C shaped profile, Rosewood fretboard with Pearl engraved Nick Lucas inlays, Rosewood bridge, cream body and fretboard bindings, Ebony headstock overlay with Pearl 20’s style ‘The Gibson’ logo, Waverly Gold tuners with Ivoroid buttons, Bone nut and saddle, 24.75″ short scale length, 1.725″ nut width and more.
The Light Aging relic’d finish comes from the fine artisans of the Murphy Lab. This meticulous finishing process recreates the subtle wear and patina of decades of gentle use, giving the instrument the character, appearance, and feel of a well-preserved original from Gibson’s Golden Era.
Includes original red line style hardshell case.
Free shipping in the continental United States.
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