Gibson Certified Vintage 1981 Futura Prototype
Following the 1980s fashion for headless electric guitar and bass designs, this radical Futura™ prototype was made by Gibson’s R&D team, then still based in Kalamazoo, and sent for approval to the marketing team in Nashville. The compact headless design was rejected in favor of Futura and Corvus™ models with traditional headstocks, and the prototype has remained in the Gibson Vault ever since.
As the only headless guitar that Gibson ever produced, this instrument represents a major piece of the company’s history. Other than a small surface crack at the top of the back of the neck near the serial number, it remains in excellent condition and comes equipped with its original black Protector Case.
Availability Date: The purchased instrument will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the US, starting July 27, 2023.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Futura/Corvis
Body Styles Small Body
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Original
Inlays Dot
Joint Glued In, Set Neck
Neck Material Maple
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.86mm / 1.69in
Profile SlimTaper
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Alnico 5 Humbucker 887k DC Resistance
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone; Volume Potentiometer is from 1976, Tone Potentiometer is from 1977. Original Orange Disc Capacitor
Output Jack Original 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Speed
finish Gold
Pickguard Black 4-ply
Pickup Covers Black Plastic
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Nylon
Strap Buttons Gold Posi-Lok
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Bell
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Gibson Deluxe
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity, Limited Lifetime Warranty Signed Letter of Appraisal
Model: GCVP0013
Case Original Gibson Black Protector Hardshell
Headstock None
Headstock Inlay Gold Gibson Logo Silkscreen
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Gibson Certified Vintage 1981 Gibson Futura Prototype, Ebony
Gibson Certified Vintage 1981 Gibson Futura Prototype, Ebony
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Gibson Certified Vintage 1981 Futura Prototype
Following the 1980s fashion for headless electric guitar and bass designs, this radical Futura™ prototype was made by Gibson’s R&D team, then still based in Kalamazoo, and sent for approval to the marketing team in Nashville. The compact headless design was rejected in favor of Futura and Corvus™ models with traditional headstocks, and the prototype has remained in the Gibson Vault ever since.
As the only headless guitar that Gibson ever produced, this instrument represents a major piece of the company’s history. Other than a small surface crack at the top of the back of the neck near the serial number, it remains in excellent condition and comes equipped with its original black Protector Case.
Availability Date: The purchased instrument will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the US, starting July 27, 2023.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Futura/Corvis
Body Styles Small Body
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Original
Inlays Dot
Joint Glued In, Set Neck
Neck Material Maple
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.86mm / 1.69in
Profile SlimTaper
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Alnico 5 Humbucker 887k DC Resistance
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone; Volume Potentiometer is from 1976, Tone Potentiometer is from 1977. Original Orange Disc Capacitor
Output Jack Original 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Speed
finish Gold
Pickguard Black 4-ply
Pickup Covers Black Plastic
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Nylon
Strap Buttons Gold Posi-Lok
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Bell
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Gibson Deluxe
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity, Limited Lifetime Warranty Signed Letter of Appraisal
Model: GCVP0013
Case Original Gibson Black Protector Hardshell
Headstock None
Headstock Inlay Gold Gibson Logo Silkscreen
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
