All photos are of the actual product. Learn More
The very first Gibson artist model, with a deep body and a big sound to match
Nick Lucas was one of the most popular American entertainers in the world in the 1920s. Known as The Crooning Troubadour, he performed on the vaudeville circuit, played solo and also played jazz with big bands, played command performances for European royalty, and was among the very first musicians to play and record guitar solos. He was also one of the first radio stars to perform with a guitar, and his recordings influenced the likes of Merle Travis. Today, his artistry is recognized as contributing to the popularity of the guitar, which is perfect for vocal accompaniment and an excellent solo instrument. Frank Campbell, Gibson’s General Sales Manager at the time, approached Lucas and tried to convince him to switch to playing Gibson guitars. Lucas said he would–if Gibson would build one to his specifications, and Gibson readily agreed. The result was the Nick Lucas Special, which was introduced in 1926 and was Gibson’s first artist signature model. One of the things that Lucas requested was a compact but deeper body for better bass response. The Nick Lucas Special went through a range of variations in body woods, bridges, and other features, but they all had a deeper body in common, which contributes to the model’s unique voice, which is rich and surprisingly full and complex for a small-bodied instrument.
Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged. Based on those early artist models, the mahogany body has a similar shape as the Gibson L-00, but it is significantly deeper, with an approximate 4.082” body depth at the head and 4.52” depth at the tail. The bound body features multi-ply top binding with gold sparkle and multi-ply back binding. The top is thermally aged red spruce, and the L-2 style rosette also features gold sparkle, which is one of the visual hallmarks of the Nick Lucas Special. The mahogany neck joins the body at the 12th fret and has a C-shaped profile. The bound rosewood fretboard is equipped with 20 frets and is adorned with mother-of-pearl Nick Lucas inlays with engraved details. Gold Waverly tuners with ivoroid oval buttons are installed on the headstock, which also features a vintage-style “The Gibson” logo in mother-of-pearl. The rosewood rectangular open slot bridge has a bone saddle, and the nut and bridge pins are also bone. The Argentine Grey finish features Light Aging from the artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. The 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged comes packed in a red line-style hardshell case. Here’s your opportunity to own one of the most distinctive-sounding acoustic guitars that Gibson has ever produced–a small-bodied masterpiece with serious depth and a big sound to match.
Additional Specifications Include:
- Back Mahogany
- Binding Gold Sparkle Multi-ply Top, Multi-ply Back, and Single-ply Fretboard
- Body Finish Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Body Material Mahogany
- Body Shape L-00
- Body Styles Small Body
- Bracing Traditional Scalloped X-bracing
- Side Mahogany
- Top Thermally Aged Red Spruce
- Fingerboard Material Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
- Fret Count 20
- Frets Standard
- Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Nick Lucas
- Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body, Hot Hide Glue
- Neck Material Mahogany
- Nut Material Bone
- Nut Width 43.82mm / 1.73in
- Profile C
- Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
- Bridge Rosewood; Sloped Rectangle, Open Slot
- Bridge Pins Bone
- Pickguard None
- Saddle Material Bone
- Strap Buttons Cream Endpin
- Truss Rod Adjustable
- Truss Rod Cover Single Ply Black Bell
- Tuner Plating Gold
- Tuning Machines Gold Waverly with Ivoroid Oval Button
- Accessories Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
- Model: CSSBNL29AGLA
- Case Period-correct Pre-War Red Line Hardshell
- Headstock Inlay The Gibson Logo in Mother-of-Pearl
- Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
- CSSBNL29AGLA
- 3 lbs 8 oz
- 21805037
For more information on this Gibson Nick Lucas Special, please contact us.
- Actual Weight
- 3.8
- Series
- Montana
- Body Style
- Acoustic Electric, Nick Lucas
- Color
- Argentine Grey
- Condition
- Brand New
- Manufacturer
- Gibson
Product Images
Product Videos
Downloads
Description
The very first Gibson artist model, with a deep body and a big sound to match
Nick Lucas was one of the most popular American entertainers in the world in the 1920s. Known as The Crooning Troubadour, he performed on the vaudeville circuit, played solo and also played jazz with big bands, played command performances for European royalty, and was among the very first musicians to play and record guitar solos. He was also one of the first radio stars to perform with a guitar, and his recordings influenced the likes of Merle Travis. Today, his artistry is recognized as contributing to the popularity of the guitar, which is perfect for vocal accompaniment and an excellent solo instrument. Frank Campbell, Gibson’s General Sales Manager at the time, approached Lucas and tried to convince him to switch to playing Gibson guitars. Lucas said he would–if Gibson would build one to his specifications, and Gibson readily agreed. The result was the Nick Lucas Special, which was introduced in 1926 and was Gibson’s first artist signature model. One of the things that Lucas requested was a compact but deeper body for better bass response. The Nick Lucas Special went through a range of variations in body woods, bridges, and other features, but they all had a deeper body in common, which contributes to the model’s unique voice, which is rich and surprisingly full and complex for a small-bodied instrument.
Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged. Based on those early artist models, the mahogany body has a similar shape as the Gibson L-00, but it is significantly deeper, with an approximate 4.082” body depth at the head and 4.52” depth at the tail. The bound body features multi-ply top binding with gold sparkle and multi-ply back binding. The top is thermally aged red spruce, and the L-2 style rosette also features gold sparkle, which is one of the visual hallmarks of the Nick Lucas Special. The mahogany neck joins the body at the 12th fret and has a C-shaped profile. The bound rosewood fretboard is equipped with 20 frets and is adorned with mother-of-pearl Nick Lucas inlays with engraved details. Gold Waverly tuners with ivoroid oval buttons are installed on the headstock, which also features a vintage-style “The Gibson” logo in mother-of-pearl. The rosewood rectangular open slot bridge has a bone saddle, and the nut and bridge pins are also bone. The Argentine Grey finish features Light Aging from the artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. The 1929 Nick Lucas Special Light Aged comes packed in a red line-style hardshell case. Here’s your opportunity to own one of the most distinctive-sounding acoustic guitars that Gibson has ever produced–a small-bodied masterpiece with serious depth and a big sound to match.
Additional Specifications Include:
- Back Mahogany
- Binding Gold Sparkle Multi-ply Top, Multi-ply Back, and Single-ply Fretboard
- Body Finish Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Body Material Mahogany
- Body Shape L-00
- Body Styles Small Body
- Bracing Traditional Scalloped X-bracing
- Side Mahogany
- Top Thermally Aged Red Spruce
- Fingerboard Material Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
- Fret Count 20
- Frets Standard
- Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Nick Lucas
- Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body, Hot Hide Glue
- Neck Material Mahogany
- Nut Material Bone
- Nut Width 43.82mm / 1.73in
- Profile C
- Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
- Bridge Rosewood; Sloped Rectangle, Open Slot
- Bridge Pins Bone
- Pickguard None
- Saddle Material Bone
- Strap Buttons Cream Endpin
- Truss Rod Adjustable
- Truss Rod Cover Single Ply Black Bell
- Tuner Plating Gold
- Tuning Machines Gold Waverly with Ivoroid Oval Button
- Accessories Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
- Model: CSSBNL29AGLA
- Case Period-correct Pre-War Red Line Hardshell
- Headstock Inlay The Gibson Logo in Mother-of-Pearl
- Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
- CSSBNL29AGLA
- 3 lbs 8 oz
- 21805037
For more information on this Gibson Nick Lucas Special, please contact us.
- Actual Weight
- 3.8
- Series
- Montana
- Body Style
- Acoustic Electric, Nick Lucas
- Color
- Argentine Grey
- Condition
- Brand New
- Manufacturer
- Gibson
Media Gallery
Downloads
Contact Us About this Item
True Product Images
Yes, this is the actual guitar you’re looking at – not a generic stock photo! We take the time to individually photograph each and every guitar we sell so that you know exactly what you’re getting. From the grain of the wood to the unique finish and subtle character marks, what you see in the photo is the very guitar that will be shipped to your door. No surprises, no guesswork – just full transparency and confidence in your purchase.
You May Also Like
Woodspeak GA-12 Custom - Redwood & Madagascar Rosewood
Serial: 31722
Here to Make Your Experience Great!
Get to know Eddie’s Guitars – Serving musicians since 1971.
