Manufactured by
Gibson Guitar Corp., American, founded 1894
Owned by
King, B.B., American, 1925 - 2015
Date
1962-1963
Medium
wood, metal, mother of pearl
Dimensions
H x W x D (2019.83.1a): 41 3/4 × 16 15/16 × 4 15/16 in. (106 × 43 × 12.5 cm)
H x W x D (2019.83.1b): 6 7/8 × 4 1/8 in. (17.5 × 10.5 cm)
Description
2019.83.1a: An electric guitar owned by B. B. King. The guitar is colored with a dark sunburst pattern and has a black colored neck. The neck has mother of pearl frets. The head of the guitar has three brass tuners on each side. “Gibson” is written in gold text at the top of the head. The bottom of the head has “CUSTOM” written vertically inside a white, bell-shaped border. Written in gold lettering on the back of the head is “61221.” The guitar has a sound hole on each side of the pickups and strings. The guitar also has five volume and tone controls on the left side of the lower front body. A pickup switch is located on the left side of the body near the neck of the guitar. The tailpiece of the guitar is made of brass and extends to the bottom of the guitar. The tailpiece is decorated with a jagged line etched along its surface. Etched at the top of the tailpiece is “SUPER 400.” A Strap button is attached to the bottom of the tailpiece. Another strap button is located on the left side of the body of the guitar near the neck. A paper tag is attached to the head of the guitar. The tag features a color image of B. B. King playing a guitar. Text on the tag reads “PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF / B. B. KING,” “Photo: Janet Macoska” and “September 21, 2019 / Beverly Hills, CA.”
2019.83.1b: a pickguard for 2019.83.1a. The guard has a brownish red pattern with a small white border. The back of the guard is black. The guard has a metal pin embedded in it in the top left corner.
Place made
Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Musical Instruments
Type
guitars
Topic
Blues (Music)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Rock and roll (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2019.83.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd530d9ef2b-7b00-4481-a311-80eabb276fd4

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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