Gibson Dove Guitar
Gibson Dove Guitar (1962 - 1996)
In 1962 Gibson introduced a flat 16 1/4" wide flat-top acoustic dreadnought guitar, matched maple (back and sides), square shoulders and had pearl dove shaped inlays at the bridge end. The guitar had a 3 piece maple neck, 20 fret rosewood or ebony fingerboard, and an ornate dove inlaid pick-guard. Gibson called this guitar the Gibson Dove model.
In 1965 tuners were replaced with grover tuners, in 1968 (only) the pick guards were screwed down and grover rotomatic tuners were introduced.
During the early 70s (only) the Gibson dove model had "Dove Artist" on the label.. From 1971 to 1996 The Dove guitar basically stayed the same except for some minor changes in specs, colors and finishes. It gained extreme popularity ever since Elvis Presley toured with it in 76-77.
From 1997 until today Gibson made reissues, renamed and made various special limited editions of the Dove guitar. Below are most of them:
60's Dove (1997 to 2004)
6-ply top binding, spruce top maple back and sides.
6-ply top binding, spruce top maple back and sides.
60's Limited Edition (2014 Only)
Indian Rosewood board, vintage cherry burst finish.
Indian Rosewood board, vintage cherry burst finish.
Dove Artist (1999 to 2005)
Sitka spruce, rosewood back and sides, crown peg head inlay, slim dreadnought body.
Sitka spruce, rosewood back and sides, crown peg head inlay, slim dreadnought body.
Dove Commemorative (1994 to 1996)
Antique cherry or heritage cherry sunburst. (100 built)
Antique cherry or heritage cherry sunburst. (100 built)
Dove In Flight Limited Edition (1996 to 1997)
Maple sides and back, Adirondack top.. (250 made)
Dove In Flight (Brazilian) 2003 Only
Extremely rare guitar, only 2 were made.
Extremely rare guitar, only 2 were made.
Dove In Flight Production Model (1996 to present)
Maple back and sides with dove inlays...
Maple back and sides with dove inlays...
Dove Elvis Presley Signature (2008 to 2010)
Artist series comes with authentic certificate (black).
Selling Or Buying Advice
Always consult with someone who knows vintage guitars before buying or selling. Otherwise, I strongly suggest you get a guitar price guide with detailed specs that can change the prices dramatically. Knowledge is everything when you are dealing with old and used music instruments.> View used and vintage Gibson Dove guitars for sale.
| Gibson Dove Guitar Price Guide (Updated April-20-2021) |
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My husband bought me a Dove in '75. It's tone has deepened and mellowed and it's sound is incomparable, very bass-y. You strike a string and the sound lasts a longggggg time. It is simply marvelous. I feel I have a treasure that cannot be replaced. I have had to change brands of strings over the years as it matured to get the completely un-bright sound I love. I am a finger-picker. Thank you, Gibson!!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI have a 70ies black dove custom, anyone knows anything about these models?
i have a late 60's model it was my fathers and he passed it down to me when he died.. the sad thing is i don't know how to play... someone please help me out e mail me at grappler7002@earthlink.com
ReplyDeleteI inherited a Gibson Custom Dove guitar. Any help on how to determine what year it was made? It looks exactly like the one pictured on the main page of this site…at least the coloring…
ReplyDeleteI’d like to know more about it. Cupcrazy52@aol.com
Try this site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf
If you can read the serial number you should be able to work out when and possibly where it was made.. good luck
I have a black Dove Custom purchased new by me in 1977. In all these years I have not seen another black Dove like it.
ReplyDeleteI have a Gibson Dove "Cherry Sunburst" in mint condition. Serial number 6001xx. I want to learn value and year????
ReplyDeletei bought a 1967 gibson dove from a guy at a garage sale for only 600 bucks its got one sun spot from when someone flipped the pickguard around but it plays amazing
ReplyDeleteI purchased a new Gibson Dove Custom in 1974 through the PX whiler stationed in Germany. It came with the custom hard case and is sunburst. I still love the way it plays and it looks as good today as it did when I bought it. I would be very hard pressed to part with it.
ReplyDeletei HAVE A GIBSON DOVE ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH DEAN MARKLEY ON IT
ReplyDeletei WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT'S WORTH
Would really like some help in identifying a guitar that my wife bought for me in the mid 60's.
ReplyDeleteI have been told it is a Gibson Dove and it does look exactly like the one pictured on the Gibson Dove main page. It has the exact same pic gurad, the little doves where the strings are anchored, sorry, am not a player do don't know all the correct terms. It also has the bell above the neck for adjusting and had the funny emblem above that between the tuners. HOWEVER, the name on my guitar is Memphis. There is a sticker inside the body that says Memphis and had a serial number of 690 D
I haave three people trying to buy this instrument but an not in the market for selling. BUT, would like to know if it is truly a Gibson Dove.
Thanks for any help. Chuck Holloway
hollowaycc@suddenlink.net
In the mid 60's my wife bought me a guitar that sounds great after all these years. I never really knew how to play but loved cording and playing in the Churches we pastored and only in the past couple of years have I really picked it up again. I have been told by 3 guys I know that I have a Gibson Dove. I looked it up on this main page and mine does look exactly like the one pictured. It has the dove pick guard, the little birds where the strings are based, sorry, told you I wasn't a player, so don't know all the terms. It has the little bell where you adjust the neck. Kicker? the name on the top says Memphis> inside the body is a sticker with the name Memphis and a serial No. 690 D. Second kicker: the sticker says Japan.
ReplyDeleteCan this somehow be a real Gibson? or is it some knock off?
PS. the three guys that told me it is a Dove all are trying to buy it, so they think it is rea.
Thanks, Chuck Holloway
hollowaycc@suddenlink.net
i have a case. it is suposed to be original. it is from 1993. but there is no logo on the case. It is a case with code numbers and have a green inside - the blanket is also green. Is that org?
ReplyDeleteWould you be willing to sell it? I just got a 1996 dove with non original case and would like an original if I can find one
DeleteIn 1979 I bought a used Gibson Dove for $379.00 from a dealer in the Twin Cities, including a hardshell case(not original). Guitar Serial#518736. Not sure if it is a 1965 or 1968 model. Used Sparingly over the past 30 years so it is in the generally the same condition as when bought. The only flaw are hairline cracks only in the finish on the face of the guitar. My questions are: What year is the guitar? Do the hairline cracks affect the value?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
John
rlprinty@centurytel.net
I used to own a 68 Gibsom Dove. Had to sell it, but it was a beauty.
ReplyDeleteMemphis guitars were imported from Japan probably by Kaman Music.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
DC Smith
Just bought a "used" Dove on E-Bay. It was built in October 09 and is perfect. It plays better and easier than my other Gibson and has great sound. Gibson make some terrific guitars.
ReplyDeleteBy-the-way, did anyone edit this web site? So many grammatical errors!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have a unique guitar, The body style is exactly like the Gibson SJ-200. The back and sides are made of Maple and it has a natural spruce top.It has the scallop x bracing. The neck is made exactly like the Gibson Monarch with the deep dove tail. The design on this guitar is the "Doves In Flight" Doves on the fretboard which is Brazilian rosewood, it has the doves in flight pickguard and brazilian rosewood Doves in Flight bridge.It has real abalone not plastic. It has a bone saddle and a bone nut. I was told it was re-built from Gibson parts sold on ebay. It sounds great. How do I detirmind what its worth? united101usa@comcast.net
My 1979 Dove is not cherry burst, but black burst: I mean, they used the dark brown lacquer they usually use on sides and back of sunburst painted guitars. Probably to cover an imperfection on the top (paint or glue stain). Everybody loves this color (makes that MOP dove look even prettier) but I never saw a second one in this color. Do I have a unique guitar (and selling point)?
ReplyDeletea.koornstra@hccnet.nl
does anyone knows where i can find the dove pickguard, i was trying to customized my black 2010 dove, but i haven't found a dealer, i want to make it look like the black 70's
ReplyDeleteIn 1974 I purchased a new Gibson dove custom It came in a Gibson hard case and is still in mint condition and plays like a dream. The serial number is A206357 and the sticker inside the Guitar says made in Kalmazoo Michigan. I love this guitar and also have another Gibson Epiphon. I have no Idea what the value of either of them are but would appreciate any information. My e-mail is m.anderson@cebridge.net
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question above about the Black Dove of around 1978, I purchased one of a very few that were made in that year because i loved the deep bass resonance over the Humming Bird. I didn't realise at the time how rare a guitar it was as not many of the Steinway Black finish were manufactured. ( They are different to the Elvis black Dove model) I still have it all these years after and absolutely LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteIan
London
My post did not go thru so I will repost it. I have a gibson dove purchased in 1964. It is the cherrywood and sunburst on the front. It is in mint condition and I have a hard case that was purchased when the guitar was. It also is in mint condition. The serial number on the guitar is 124078. Made in Kalamazoo, MI. I would like to know the value of this guitar. My email is slow@eurosteam.com
ReplyDeleteI have a Gibson Dove, serial number 514263, stamping says made in Kalamazoo, MI...it's a dark cherry color, not one that i've seen anywhere else or even read about...it was my dad's, he passed away 14 years ago so i'd like to know it's history. please email at e1lindsay@yahoo.com if u have any info!!
ReplyDeleteAnyone having any idea how many Ebony Doves were made in the mid to late 70's or where I could find out this information? Not to many I believe. I note Ken above purchased one and has never seen another. I purchased one too around the same time so Ken is the first guitar owner I know who also has one.
ReplyDeleteIan
any news about the number of Steinway ebony doves made? i got one as well, from 1978. is it true that these ones were all from the custom shop (there s no patch/sticker in the guitar defining it as a custom model). thank you so much for your help, a miracle i try to solve for years now. chris
ReplyDeleteMine is a dove but seems to be covered in seagull droppings. I think maybe it is a SEAGULL brand. It sounds rather dead and lifeless like a seagull on a beach. Never mind...wrong blog.
ReplyDeleteCan someone help me identify the year made of a Gibson Dove serial #533160? If I'm reading a link correctly, it's a 1969? packrat@cablespeed.com
ReplyDeleteI bought a black dove in the USA. in the 1970, I still have it,never heard anything sound better,would like to know the real value, anybody !! Mick.
ReplyDeleteI have pearl dove gibson guitar want to find out the value of it
ReplyDeleteLooking for a used, very good-excellent condition Gibson Doves in Flight. Very serious buyer. Cash
ReplyDeletefaithhughes@live.com Thank you!
I had made an earlier post on my 1973 Dove Custom I purchased thru the PX in Germany. I found the original receipt and I paid $199.00 for it with the case. What a deal. In Feb of last year I had it refurbished by Jimmy Foster who had actually made the guitar in Kalamazoo and it is amazing. Unfortunately Jimmy passed away in April of that year and we lost a great musician and Luthier.
ReplyDeleteI have a Gibson LG1 with Serial #400403 with a 2 underneath the serial number. It is a Sunburst color. Can you tell me what the year model is and the approximate value?
ReplyDelete