❌SOLD❌ Gibson Starburst 100th Anniversary Cutaway Maple, 1994

Built from 1992 to 1994, the Gibson Starburst Standard uses a cutaway mini-Jumbo body built of Maple, and as its name suggests features arrays of star shaped inlays. This model was popular, and Jorma Kaukonen apparently had several that he used regularly, including the blue-finished model in the Homespun Tapes clip linked here.

The Gibson Starburst was a model produced for a short time in limited numbers in Bozeman, Montana and was designed chiefly by Ren Ferguson. Intended to mark the 100th anniversary of Orville Gibson’s first guitar sales, the Starburst aims towards players who need to amplify their guitars. As such, its wood choices are intended to reduce resonance and volume and thus reduce feedback. The top and back are highly figured maple – the back is likely Laminate – while the sides and neck are solid Maple. The fingerboard and bridge are Indian Rosewood. And importantly, there’s a factory stock pickup system installed with controls on the bass side near the heel.

The story is that the Gibson Starburst was quite popular, with 946 sold in 1992, their introductory year. Gibson intended to keep producing them, but in 1993, an up and coming builder in Stevensville, Maryland unexpectedly purchased much of the available figured Maple. Gibson could not resupply in sufficient quantity, and were forced to cease production of the model.

Here we have a Gibson Starburst Standard dating to 1994. It’s in overall good condition with lots of natural lacquer checking. It appears to be in original condition except for a replacement bone nut and saddle. To me, the rounded bridge suggests one of Ren Ferguson’s later successful models, the Songwriter. It plays well, and has quite a good sound.

This Gibson Starburst Standard in natural finish is sold with its original hard shell case.