Full Description
Gibson’s ”L” series acoustic guitars were present at the birth of blues – played by the great blues originator Robert Johnson, among others. These are the inspiration behind the Keb’ Mo’ Bluesmaster, which adds a host of upgraded appointments to create an acoustic of optimum tone and performance for the contemporary player. Featuring a scalloped-X-braced top of solid Adirondack Red Spruce, solid Mahogany back and sides, quarter-sawn solid Mahogany neck with bone nut and saddle. Complete with a East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, the Keb’ Mo’ Bluesmaster packs all the tonal nuance and sweetness you could hope for in a high-end, hand-crafted guitar.
Body
The top of the Keb’ Mo’ Bluesmaster is made from two pieces of solid Adirondack Red Spruce, a rare and highly prized tonewood that features in the tops of many instruments from the golden age of the flat-top acoustic guitar. The back and sides are made from solid Mahogany.
The Keb’ Mo’ is made in the image of Gibson’s small-bodied L-series guitars, such as the L-00. Its solid Spruce top is custom sanded to the final thickness and supported by an X-brace pattern formed of scalloped Spruce braces. All of which optimizes the resonance and tonal richness.
Neck and Fingerboard
The neck of the Bluesmaster is made from quarter-sawn solid Mahogany. The quarter-sawn grain orientation produces superior strength and resonance. The angled peg head and Mahogany neck work together to provide exceptional tonal richness and sustain from the neck, while the deeper bridge placement – a result of the 12th fret neck/body joint – increases the guitar’s overall sonic depth.
The neck carries a fingerboard of East Indian Rosewood, both hardwearing and sonically superlative. Adding sweetness and depth to the guitar’s overall sound. The fingerboard features inlays with vintage-style 1/4” Mother of Pearl dot position markers.
Pickup
The Keb’ Mo’ Bluesmaster includes a built-in L.R. Baggs Element pickup, with a single volume control mounted in the edge of the sound hole and a standard 1/4” end-pin jack. The Element is an advanced unit from one of the world’s leading manufacturers, offering a broad, natural projection of the guitar’s natural tone.
Specifications
Body & Bridge
- Body Type: L-Series Small Body
- Top: Adirondack Red Spruce Top
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Binding: 0.080” Cream Top and Back Binding, Herringbone Top Trim, Traditional Double Ring Rosette
- Bracing: Traditional L-00 X-Braced Top
- Bridge: Traditional Belly Down with Bone Saddle
- Bridge Material: East Indian Rosewood
Neck & Fingerboard
- Material: 1-pc Mahogany
- Profile: Custom Keb’ Mo’ Neck Profile
- Thickness: 1.805” (At Nut)
- Adhesive: Premium Titebond
- Truss Rod: Single Action
- Truss Rod Cover: Black with Keb’ Mo’ Signature
- Neck Joint: Compound Dovetail Neck Joint at 12th Fret
- Neck Construction: 1 Piece Carved with French Heel
- Fingerboard Material: East Indian Rosewood
- Frets: 19
- Scale Length: 25”
- Radius: 12”
- Inlays: 1/4” Mother of Pearl Dots
- Headstock Type: Advanced Jumbo Style w/Taper
- Headstock Angle: 17 Degrees
- Headstock Inlay: Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown
- Tuning Keys: Vintage Open Back
- Tuning Key Material: Nickel
Electronics & Hardware
- Pickup: L.R. Baggs® Element ™
- Volume Control: Sound Hole Mounted
- Strap Buttons: Die-cast Steel and Nickel Plated
- Strings: .011” – .052” Gibson Light Gauge