1928 Gibson Nick Lucas Special
An Artist’s Model. A Collector’s Dream. A Landmark in Gibson History.

Overview
Offered for sale is a beautifully preserved late-1928 Gibson Nick Lucas Special, one of the most sought-after prewar Gibson flat-tops and a model synonymous with the dawn of artist-endorsed instruments.
This exceptional example presents as an authentic, factory-original, and structurally pristine specimen, whilst being also fully authenticated and professionally serviced.
With its deep mahogany body, 12-fret neck, and elegant pearl appointments, it represents the height of Gibson’s late-1920s craftsmanship.

Specifications
Model: Gibson Nick Lucas Special
Year: 1928
Serial Number: 83509 (confirmed on original paper label inside body)
Factory Order Number (FON): 9009 (stamped on neck block)
Body Style: 12-fret to the body
Scale Length: 25 1⁄5″
Body Depth: 4 ¼″ at end block
Top: Spruce (factory original)
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany, Soft C profile (20 mm at 1st fret, 24 mm at heel)
Fingerboard & Bridge: Rosewood
Bracing: Factory pattern A
Finish: Original hand-applied shellac with period-correct nitrocellulose clear coat overlay
Rosette: Alternating white/black/white ivoroid rings
Inlays: Original mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays and pearl “The Gibson” headstock logo
Hardware: Original bridge, bridge pins, tuners, and clip-on pickguard (mounts to soundhole rim)

Authenticity & Verification
The pairing of serial number 83509 and FON 9009 is a critical confirmation of this guitar’s authenticity and production chronology.
Gibson’s 1928 serial range (approximately 82000–87000) places 83509 precisely within mid-to-late 1928 output.
The factory order number 9009 aligns with late-1927 to early-1928 Nick Lucas production batches — a consistent overlap typical of Gibson’s workflow at the time.
This pairing confirms that the body, neck, and label are original to each other, with no evidence of later replacements or marriages.
Verified by Gibson, this dual-number match establishes the instrument as a factory-original 1928 Nick Lucas Special, not a re-neck or reconstruction.
These identifiers form the backbone of Gibson authentication, ensuring both historical integrity and market confidence for serious collectors and investors.

Condition
This guitar ranks among the cleanest surviving Nick Lucas Specials from the prewar era.
Structural Integrity: No top, back, or side cracks; braces and bridge plate appear factory-original and unmodified.
Repairs / Maintenance: Professionally neck-reset and refretted as would be expected for a 97 year old guitar ensuring ideal playability.
Finish: 100% original finish, verified under black-light; no overspray or refinishing.
Surface Detail: Excellent condition.
Playability: Perfect neck angle, low action, and balanced tonal response across all registers.
 
Tone & Character
A wonderfully responsive and lightweight guitar, this small-body mahogany Nick Lucas Special has a spaciousness and airiness distinctive of the FON Reference.
The guitar's deep body depth and "A' bracing adds a subtle strength to the mids – one of the hallmarks of the voice of this incarnation of the Nick Lucas Special model.
It's a particularly appealing mix of X-braced and ladder-braced tonality, with an extra bit of warmth in the low frequency range thanks to the increased air volume of the deeper body.
It projects with surprising volume for a 12-fret body while retaining the sensitivity and nuance that made the Nick Lucas Special a favorite among early jazz and folk artists.
This guitar’s voice is rich, balanced, and authentically vintage — equally suited to recording, performing, or refined collection display.

Highlights
Factory-original 1928 Gibson Nick Lucas Special (Serial #83509 / FON #9009)
Authenticated
Original finish, hardware, and pearl inlays
No cracks or structural repairs
Professionally neck-reset and refretted for exceptional playability
Includes original clip-on pickguard and case with key and tags
Verified provenance and expert servicing

Investment Perspective
As Gibson’s first artist-endorsed flat-top, the Nick Lucas Special occupies a unique and pivotal place in American guitar history.
This instrument’s originality, flawless condition, and expert verification position it at the top end of that spectrum — an outstanding long-term investment for serious collectors or boutique dealers.

Included
Original hard shell case (with tag and key)
Original clip-on pickguard
Provenance and appraisal documentation
High-resolution photos (including under black-light) and internal body inspection video