Gibson 66 Melody Maker - Fire Engine Red
This Melody Maker in what was called "Fire Engine Red" or just "Red" in some books for dating guitars was manufactured in 1967 according to the serial number on the back of the headstock and actually the color. The pots are dated 1965, however in 1965 the only color made was Cherry - which is transparent over the mahogany body. I purchased this guitar because of my passion for the Gibson Melody Makers feel and sound. If you've followed through my website, this is the second Melody Maker I have had cross my path. The first being a similar model that needed to be refinished and dated around the same period by serial number only. I did not know the original color nor the dates of the original pots being they were long gone when i received the guitar.
Purchased from a close friend who manages "The Pawn Shoppe" in Painesville, Ohio, this vintage Gibson will need plenty of work to restore. Mostly cleaning and buffing out - I must add that this is one Melody Maker that is entirely original, even the solder joints are untouched! This particular Melody Maker is extremely rare, and especially in this condition. Try to find one, you will have a very tough time doing so.
Some history: One of the most distinctive features of the Melody Maker is its narrow headstock. This does not appear on the Les Paul Jr. from which it borrowed so many other characteristics, but can be found on the Epiphone Olympic, another Gibson made solid introduced in 1960. The Melody Maker's single pickup was specially designed for the model, but later appeared on a number of cut-price "Kalamazoo" guitars manufactured by Gibson in the late 1960's..
One rock super star who plays a highly modified Gibson Melody Maker mainly due to it's smaller size is Joan Jett. A really awesome looking MM!
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