The Gibson Custom Shop Nick Lucas Elite is a deeply historic instrument - a faithful recreation of the guitar built for Nick Lucas, one of the earliest guitar heroes of the recording era and one of the first artists to have a signature guitar produced in his name. Originally introduced by Gibson in 1926, the Nick Lucas was distinguished by its deep-body parlour format, shorter scale length, and rich, full-bodied acoustic voice that made it a favourite of early jazz, vaudeville, and popular music performers. This 2004 Custom Shop example honours that legacy with meticulous attention to vintage specification and appointments, producing an instrument that is as historically significant as it is tonally inspiring.

The solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides and hand-scalloped X-bracing delivers a warm, resonant, and dynamically articulate acoustic voice that is equally at home fingerpicking intricate melodies or strumming full, ringing chord voicings. The deep body design enhances projection and low-end warmth beyond what a standard parlour body produces, while the 24.75" scale length and vintage-style neck profile provide a comfortable, familiar playing feel that suits both traditionalists and contemporary players. Mother-of-pearl inlays, nickel hardware, and the rich Tobacco Sunburst finish reflect the Custom Shop's characteristic commitment to visual authenticity and premium appointment quality. 

This 2004-built guitar is a very rare find - the Elite was often built with Koa back-and-sides, or finished in a Honeyburst finish, but this particular version features Honduran Mahogany back-and-sides and a classic dark Tobacco Sunburst finish, and it looks incredibly cool! This guitar has been well-played and shows some genuine wear throughout, with some deep pick scratches and plenty of lacquer crazing. There's a small patch of missing abalone from the rosette, the nut and saddle have been replaced with bone and a passive K&K pickup has been professionally installed. This is a wonderful small-bodied Gibson with the dry, woody and fundamental tone that you'd expect with a little more bass and volume thanks to it's deeper body shape. A very rare 00 with true vintage vibe. Includes original hardshell case.  

• Model: Gibson Custom Shop Nick Lucas Elite
• Year: 2004
• Body: Deep parlour
• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & sides: Mahogany
• Bracing: Hand-scalloped X-brace
• Neck: Mahogany, vintage-style profile
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 19
• Scale length: 24.75"
• Inlays: Mother of pearl
• Hardware: Nickel
• Pickup: None
• Finish: Tobacco Sunburst
• Strings: 6-string, steel
• Made in: USA (Gibson Custom Shop)