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GIBSON CERTIFIED VINTAGE

Curated. Authenticated. Certified.

1981 FUTURA PROTOTYPE

#0001

1981 FUTURA PROTOTYPE

#0001

1981 Futura Prototype

The Only Headless Guitar That Gibson Has Ever Produced

  • Solid alder body
  • Maple neck with SlimTaper™ profile
  • Indian rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
  • Gold-plated Nashville Tune-O-Matic™ bridge
  • Black Speed knobs
  • Gibson Deluxe tuners
  • Bridge Pickup: Alnico 5 humbucker™, 8.87k DC resistance
  • CTS® potentiometers dated 1976 (volume) and 1977 (tone)
SOLD

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.

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.

CERTIFIED AND PROTECTED

A NEW WARRANTY AND LETTER OF APPRAISAL

Alongside a certificate of authenticity and limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson’s Director of Brand Experience, Mark Agnesi.

The guitar will ship with the original black Protector Case.

CERTIFIED AND PROTECTED

A NEW WARRANTY AND LETTER OF APPRAISAL

Alongside a certificate of authenticity and limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson’s Director of Brand Experience, Mark Agnesi.

The guitar will ship with the original black Protector Case.

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