A rare and interesting example of a famed arch top. The Gibson Super 400 was one of the finest instruments of the brands product line - one that inspired many players and thus other manufacturers for decades to come. It's iconic 18" lower bout is impressive in every way, sonically offering up a loud and robust tone, while being structurally impressive. This example was originally produced in 1937, before making its way back to Gibson in the early 1960s for a new neck. The non cutaway example seen here has a serial stamp of "94424" impressed into the back of the headstock - this serial number stamp, accurately dating the instrument to 1937 . The tuners, which appear original to this neck with no previous impressions are the Grover G-98's - a stunning "cat eye" engraved tuner that was utilized by Gibson in the 30's. All of this could otherwise negated by the peg head overlay with the block inlay logo which began in '47, seen here with the floating dot over the "I" - a detail that would begin in the 50's through the early 60's. Maybe the most conclusive detail on the list of mysteries is the "5 piece" neck. The three pieces of maple separated by two dark strips would begin production in 1961 - indicating it likely had returned to factory sometime post '61. Gibson would move to rosewood fingerboards in 1948, but as we can see here this fingerboard is made of ebony - with correct MOP split inlay pattern , something that would be replaced by rosewood in 1948. Come 1961, Gibson would decrease the nut width on their necks to 1 9/16", with this example measuring 1 11/16" which would, again identify it as a 30's issue. It is *possible* as it sits that while returned to the factory, that Gibson had produced a new neck for the guitar, using then their 5 piece maple offering - and utilized the original Grover Cat-Eye tuners and ebony fingerboard from the original, building a neck that retained the nut width and oversized open book. In many ways, this would make it a sort of best of both worlds option. The neck is nice and straight, with clean binding, bone nut and neck angle with no evidence of a neck reset - the rosewood bridge with mop inlay fairly maxed out with some room to move on the bass side. The action currently measuring a low 4/64" in height at the twelfth fret. The body as mentioned, has an 18" lower bout, here with the smaller 12.75" upper bout found in guitars from about '35-36. Constructed with a nice piece of book matched carved solid spruce with correct X bracing pattern with rear tone bar - something that was changed by 1939., A very nice solid flamed maple back & sides, all bound with 7 ply binding. The top has flattened slightly as one would expect, the finish, again having enough shine to indicate the overspray as well. Under black light, it appears likely the finish had been over sprayed - but all the same, is clearly the work of a total professional. If this was a factory job, it is certainly possible that this finish changed, given that this finish appears more similar to a later finish from Gibson, as it is lighter around its edge in a later fashion, and not as dark as a late 30's or even 50's. Weighs 6lbs Includes correct, later 30's Geib case in brown leather tolex with replaced handle.