1940 Recording King M-3 Gibson-Made Pre-War Carved Top Archtop w/ Case
$1,799.99
$1,799.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1940 Recording King model M-3 archtop in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Crafted by Gibson at their Kalamazoo, Michigan factory for Montgomery Ward's catalog, the Recording King brand (and a host of others) were utilized by Gibson to produce finely crafted instruments to keep the company solvent during the lean Pre-War years. This particular M-3 was produced in 1940, during the very last year of Recording King production prior to the brand’s discontinuation.
Boasting a feature set very much in-line with Gibson’s concurrently-produced L-50s, this M-3 features a 16” body with a carved solid spruce top, maple back and sides, and a five-piece maple/walnut neck capped with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Equal parts bright, crisp, and smooth, this M-3 has ideal bloom, detail and midrange chop with great projection. It’s very responsive to player dynamics, and the trebles are sparkling while the bass register offers a focused, warm response. Weighing 4lbs 11oz, this M-3 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with bronze 12-53 roundwound strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Five-piece maple/walnut
-Shape: Substantial soft V, measuring .955” 1st fret, 1.100” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium (refret), leveled and crowned, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 3/4”, bone (replacement)
-Tuners: Original Kluson open-gear, gently aged buttons
-Headstock: Pearl inlay, “Model M-3” silkscreen
Body Specs:
-Wood: Carved spruce top, curly maple rims, maple back
-Hardware: Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece
-Plastics: Bound tiger stripe tortoise pickguard
-Dating: “Jan 1940” stamp in bass-side f hole
The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting lacquer checking across the body. The instrument is crack-free, and cosmetic wear is limited to just a scant few minor dings on the body as a whole, largely concentrated around the edges of the top. The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is nigh flawless.
A vintage (non-original) hardshell case is included.
Boasting a feature set very much in-line with Gibson’s concurrently-produced L-50s, this M-3 features a 16” body with a carved solid spruce top, maple back and sides, and a five-piece maple/walnut neck capped with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Equal parts bright, crisp, and smooth, this M-3 has ideal bloom, detail and midrange chop with great projection. It’s very responsive to player dynamics, and the trebles are sparkling while the bass register offers a focused, warm response. Weighing 4lbs 11oz, this M-3 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with bronze 12-53 roundwound strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Five-piece maple/walnut
-Shape: Substantial soft V, measuring .955” 1st fret, 1.100” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium (refret), leveled and crowned, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 3/4”, bone (replacement)
-Tuners: Original Kluson open-gear, gently aged buttons
-Headstock: Pearl inlay, “Model M-3” silkscreen
Body Specs:
-Wood: Carved spruce top, curly maple rims, maple back
-Hardware: Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece
-Plastics: Bound tiger stripe tortoise pickguard
-Dating: “Jan 1940” stamp in bass-side f hole
The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting lacquer checking across the body. The instrument is crack-free, and cosmetic wear is limited to just a scant few minor dings on the body as a whole, largely concentrated around the edges of the top. The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is nigh flawless.
A vintage (non-original) hardshell case is included.
