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  • 1968 Gibson Super 400
    Shungo Sawada guitar
You wouldn’t need much introduction on Gibson Super 400. If you have to pick only one guitar in your whole life this is it. This special piece was owned and played by Japan’s legendary jazz guitarist Shungo Sawada(沢田駿吾, 1930-2006), who led the very first generation of Japanese jazz guitar and is still considered as one of the best jazz guitar players in Japan jazz history. As a virtuoso guitarist he recorded more than 30 albums and played with Stan Getz, Helen Merrill, Oscar Peterson trio and Dizzy Gillespie during their tour in Japan. Swing Journal, Japan's most prominent jazz magazine, ranked Sawada as the best guitarist for 7 consecutive years. No one ever has broken this record so far.

His contribution to Japanese jazz wasn't just limited as a guitarist. Composing soundtracks and TV commercials, publishing and lecturing the jazz theory in Japan/US, and founding a Jazz institute (Root's Academy of Jazz in Tokyo) were all blossomed under his leadership. As a result in 1998, the 23rd Nanri-Fumio award(南里文雄賞), an yearly award issued by Swing Journal that every jazz musician in Japan dreams of being nominated for, was honorably granted to him.

So the very guitar he played in most of his albums, 1968 Gibson Super 400, represents an arch top iconic guitar in music history with an amazing Sunburst finish, cutaway, f holes and split blocks inlays that makes it instantly recognizable. Spruce top with a beautiful bird’s eye maple back and flamed maple neck is simply splendid. The astounding 18 inches body width of Super 400 is the secret to its bold and powerful sound in producing electric tone that is perfect for jazz with a great setup for easy playability. This superior vintage guitar gives a subtle variations, comes with a balanced response and will definitely impress you with no limits.

As for the condition of this guitar, play marks, lacquer wear along the neck, and oxidation indicate how gracefully and elegantly she has passed along the golden era of Japanese jazz. No buzz is heard when I played every single fret over chromatic scale. Action and intonation is set all correct, so is the straight neck. All parts original including the hardshell case. To the lucky winner I ship this legendary piece free worldwide.