Gibson Keb Mo 3.0 Vintage Sunburst

Description

Keb' Mo' and Gibson have completed their third project, which this time has resulted in a 12-fret J-45, which is a whole new spin on the classic Gibson J-45. The guitar is constructed with a torrefied Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides to give the guitar an extremely versatile tone that is suitable for almost any musical style or genre. Whether you are sitting down or standing up when you play, the familiar round-shoulder body and 12th-fret neck/body joint allow for comfortable and balanced playing. The neck also features a wider 1.805" nut, which gives Keb' more room to work with when he unleashes his fingerpicking magic. Finally, the Keb' Mo' 3.0 has been fitted with LR Baggs VTC electronics with soundhole-mounted controls for live performances and recording.

For his third signature model, Keb' Mo' decided to use all-solid tonewoods: a thermally aged Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Thermal aging (sometimes called torrefaction) is a process where the wood is baked in an oxygen-deprived chamber, which crystallizes the resin in the wood. The process produces a chemical reaction in the wood that is very similar to the process wood undergoes when it is dried for decades. The end result is an extra resonant, lightweight top that produces a tone very similar to that of an old guitar that has been loved and played for years. The tone of a torrefied top is impressive, and when paired with mahogany back and sides, it results in a guitar with extra attack, projection, and warmth.

The Keb' Mo' 3.0 12-fret J-45 is constructed with a 25" mahogany neck that is joined to the body at the 12th fret - which is a radical departure from the traditional J-45 design. The construction has the advantage that the strings will feel slightly stiffer, while the 12-fret joint provides a more rounded and full tone. The neck also features a special Keb' Mo' neck profile based on a "Soft V" shape. The neck profile is incredibly comfortable for guitarists who play with their thumb on top of the fretboard like Keb' Mo'.

Keb' Mo' specified other notable design elements during the completion of the guitar. This includes a wider 1.805" nut (a standard J-45 has a 1.725" nut) to get more room between the strings. He also requested Grover tuners as well as a leg-end saddle and saddle insert. After some experimentation, he also settled on a Belly-Down bridge instead of the traditional J-45 Belly-Up bridge. Also note the subtle visual upgrades, which include a bound fretboard and inlaid Gibson logo and crown on the headstock.

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