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Monday December 11th, 2000
Gibson Custom debuts Birth of Christ tribute guitar
In honor of the two thousandth anniversary of His coming, the Gibson Guitar Company celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with its most elaborate tribute guitar ever created--the Tribute to the Birth of Christ. Since July 1st, 2000, Gibson artist and master luthier Bruce J. Kunkel, along with the talented staff of the Custom, Art and Historic division under the direction of General Manager Rick Gembar, has been researching, designing, and crafting this one-of-a-kind tribute to the Son of God. Gibsons largest and most majestic guitar model, the 39 Super 400 is the canvas upon which the story of the Saviors birth is told through paintings, carvings, engravings, and inlay.
The Head Veneer depicts four hand-engraved angels playing 14k gold trumpets. In their midst, a mother of pearl scroll is unfurled, declaring Gibsons Celebration of Christmas 2000.
The Fingerboard displays the name, "Jesus Christ", in an elaborate Old English font hand cut from mother of pearl in a vertical format.
The Top of the guitar illustrates the events leading up to the events leading up to the birth of Christ. Starting from the upper left corner and moving clockwise they are: The visitation of the angel Gabriel to Mary, Mary and Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist, the wise men (notice there are only two) and the angel appearing to the shepherds. The town of Bethlehem can be seen in the distance.
The Pickguard is inlaid with the star of Bethlehem with a cubic zirconia in its center. Two cherubs hold the banners surrounding the Gibson logo which is hand cut from 14k gold. The mother of pearl banners read, "Christmas 2000".
The Tailpiece, hand engraved by Nick Kimmons, declares, "Prince of Peace", "King of Kings", and "Lord of Lords". Three long stemmed lilies can be seen, reminding us Jesus was called the "Lilly of the Valley".
The Rim of the guitar is emblazoned with Bible verses prophesying Christs coming from the King James Version of the Old Testament and the Gospel accounts of his birth.
The Back of the Peghead is inlaid with the Star of Bethlehem, its tail radiating down the neck. A large octagonal cubic zerconia is in its center.
The Heel of the Neck is carved and hand painted with three cherubs holding a banner that reads, "Son of God". The heel cap is hand engraved proclaiming, "Emmanuel, God With Us".
The Back of the guitar is a bas-relief carving that has been poly chromed. It depicts the nativity of Jesus. In the foreground are two wise men on either side. In between them, a pair of hands hold a small box. This is the third wise man. It is from his perspective the viewer is able to witness the birth of Christ. The babe in the center is comforted by Mary and Joseph. Shepherds have come to witness the event as an ox, lamb, and donkey look on. Hovering above them, an angels outstretched arms offer protection and blessing. The light in the stable radiates from the Christ Child and is warm and yellow in contrast to the blue starlight coming from the doorway. The face and the hands have been finished to allow the natural grain of the maple to come through, as have the Shepherds crooks. The tool marks of the carving chisels have been intentionally left to add to the texture and authenticity of the piece.
Gibsons Celebration of Christmas 2000 is our Christmas card to you and your loved ones on this most historic Christmas of our time.
The Tribute to the Birth of Christ will be on display at the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase in Opry Mills in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Christmas 2000 and 2001 New Year's seasons. Afterwards, the instrument will remain in Gibson Guitar Corp.'s permanent collection of unique and treasured instruments.
Gibson artist and master luthier
Bruce J. Kunkel holding his latest masterpiece.
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