History of Gibson Dove

This is the first year that Dove was created. The serial number printed on the orange label identifies the year of production. 17 DOVEs were shipped in 1962, far fewer than the total number of original D-45s and SJ-200s, making this one of those rare and precious years that are seldom distributed.

The dove and flower design on the pickguard symbolizes this model, but you can see that the pickguard on this particular piece has thorns growing out of the stem. What is this flower motif in the first place? As for the "specific type of flower," no official statement has been made.
It may be natural to think of it as an abstracted floral design rather than a specific variety, but I personally think it is a flower called Rosa acicularis (wild rose), with five peach-colored petals and an impressive yellow pact, with thorns growing on the stem.

So far we have confirmed that some individuals with the 1962 serial have this thorn design, and we have not been able to confirm this at this time for 1963 or later. In addition, since the pattern carving is handmade, it is evident that there are individual differences in the size of the dove's beak, the number of feathers, the color of the flowers, and the placement of the branches and leaves.

The finish of the first year of Dove's release is considered to be Cherry Sunburst, and the natural color was shipped from the following year, 1963.
This one was also originally Cherry Sunburst, but has faded to look like a natural, although this is a common aging effect seen on Gibson flat-top Cherry Sunbursts from 1963 to 1966,
I have never seen a 1962 serial with this much fading. If you look closely, you can see that the original cherry color remains on the lower left side of the body, indicating that the color was very dark.

The stature of this car has probably passed through several stages. This is a tremendous bottle in its first year.

This is another Dove from the first year of production. The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head identifies the year of production.
Comparing with the previous one, we can see that the cherry sunburst is still there.

The pickguard is designed without thorns on the stem, and the color of the flowers and leaves, as well as the arrangement of the feathers, are different.

The Tune-O-Matic bridge is another signature of this model.
This specification was pioneered on the 1961 J-200, adding a mechanical nuance to the powerful sound of the 16-inch body.

The figured maple used for the side backs also matches the reddish paint. Dove's list price at the time was $360. The Hummingbird was $265, thus positioning it as the top-of-the-line square-shouldered model. Considering that the J-200, the top-of-the-line flat-top model, also had a maple body, it can be said that Gibson's aesthetic was the gorgeous look and sound of maple.

According to the serial number printed on the back of the head, this guitar was made in 1963.
Beautiful cherry sunburst finish. Unfortunately, the orange label has peeled off and is missing, but it is in excellent condition, showing no signs of its 60+ years of age.

As a minor specification change, the bridge plate has been changed from a single plate to a triple plate as on the Hummingbird.

This is the first year of the natural color. The serial number on the orange label and on the back of the head identifies the year of production. The first year of natural color shipments numbered 29 pieces, making it one of the most valuable years as well as 1962.

The natural finish was more expensive than the sunburst finish because the spruce on the body top had to be more carefully selected, as was the case with the J-45 and J-50, but starting in 1963, the price was equalized for the J-45/J-50, Hummingbird, and Dove. (The price difference between them started to appear again in the late 1960s.) Among the jumbo flat-tops, natural finish continued to be more expensive on the J-200 and SJ (Southern Jumbo)/SJN (Country Western); on the SJ/SJN, the price was the same in 1964 (with another price difference in the second half), and on the J-200 The price difference remained after 1970 for the J-200.

In addition to the coloring, the truss rod cover with the name "DOVE" is also a distinctive feature. It seems that the same truss rod cover was used for Hummingbird in the beginning, but this truss rod cover was started to be used around 1963.

This guitar was made in 1964, according to the orange label and the serial number printed on the back of the head. You can notice the difference between the first half and the second half.
The width of the body is 403mm, which is less than 16 inches, and about 5mm narrower than usual. The body neck is also 271mm, about 10mm narrower than usual. Comparing the two, we can see that the body is slimmer.

The bridge with T.O.M. is deeply cut on the neck side, and you can see the R on that part.

The bridge bray is hexagonal instead of quadrangular, and is larger in size.
This specification change is the same as J-45.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1964.

If you look closely and compare them among the first half of the individuals, you will notice individual differences.

In large part, this individual has a body width of 403mm, less than 16 inches, which is about 5mm narrower than usual. The body neck is also 271mm, about 10mm narrower than usual. Comparing the two, we can see that the body is slimmer.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1964.

You can notice the individual differences among the first half of the pieces if you look and compare them in detail.

In large part, this piece has a body width of 403mm, less than 16 inches, which is about 5mm narrower than usual. The body neck is also 271mm, about 10mm narrower than usual. Comparing the two, we can see that the body is slimmer.

The orange label, serial number printed on the back of the head, and bridge specifications indicate that this guitar was made in 1966.

The pegs are Grover 102N.
The tarnished nickel plating and the milk-bottle shaped shaft cover with the patent engraved on it give it a vintage look.
Grover pegs are used from this year, but Kluson waffle backs continue to be used.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1966.

This is a Dove cutaway model, which is rarely seen. The coloring is Tobacco Sunburst, which has been seen since 1966, and is also a finish not seen on 1960s Doves.
In addition to this color, the pickguard is a simple tortoiseshell pattern,
At first glance, it looks like a jumbo size CF-100,
The bridge is unique to Dove, and the label is signed "Dove" in writing.
The truss rod cover has the word "CUSTOM" on it.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1967.

The orange label and serial number on the back of the head indicate that this is a 1967 Dove Cherry Sunburst, but this is a faded Cherry Sunburst finish, which is common up to 1966. The cherry color of the side backs blends beautifully with the cherry color of the guitar, giving it an overall beautiful and gorgeous impression. The pegs have been replaced, but the gold parts go very well with them.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1967.

One of the characteristics of this year is the change in the cherry sunburst color of the body top, which is no longer cherry, which tended to fade easily, but is still a bright red color after almost 60 years.

Another change is the way the pickguard is attached.
You can see that it is screwed on just like the J-45 and Hummingbird. The number of screws is 5.

The orange label and serial number printed on the back of the head indicate that this guitar was made in 1968.

The two pickguards on the top of the body are very impressive.
Speaking of Gibson's double pickguard, you can see Bob Dylan playing a J-200 Sunburst with a double pickguard on stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, although it was a different model.
This is another premium model that was popular with country musicians and the rock scene because of its spectacular appearance, including the Everly Brothers.

Dove's double pickguard is another rare item.
The thick tortoiseshell pickguard is decorated with the iconic "dove" in shiny pearl,
The floral pattern also features a wonderful design with colors such as red and green.
The flower pattern is also in red and green, and the two pieces on each side are placed symmetrically and harmoniously.

Combined with the use of T.O.M., this piece is full of rock taste.

The serial number printed on the back of the head indicates that this guitar was made in 1969.
The bridge specification has been changed from this year. The saddle is changed from a T.O.M. to a wooden adjustable saddle used on the J-45 and Hummingbird. The pigeon inlays on the bridge are retained, but the mother-of-pearl dots are gone. The pickguard is a five-point screw-on, reddish resin material used on J-45s from 1964 onward. The Gibson logo mark on the head has omitted the "i" dot, which is a symbolic design of 1969. The nut width is 43mm, indicating the switch from a narrow neck to a regular neck, which is typical of the late 1960s.

Elvis Presley, a well-known musician who loved the Dove, used a customized 1969 Dove that was a gift from his father, Vernon Presley. Elvis Presley used that guitar on numerous stages from 1971 to 1975. Fans will remember the sight of him holding the guitar at the legendary "Aloha from Hawaii" concert in 1973, which was broadcast via satellite around the world. Elvis Dove's guitar is also known for its black finish and name inlays on the fretboard, which are symbolic of "rock and roll. The Elvis Dove is a "rock 'n' roll" guitar with a black finish and name inlays on the fingerboard, but it also shares the Dove's original rosewood bridge.

The serial number printed on the back of the head indicates that this guitar was made in 1969.
This one has the same specifications as the previous one, but the bridge is made of ebony. Nut width is 43mm, and there is no i dot on the Gibson logo. Other than this, it is based on 1960s specs.

This is because it was the transitional year for the specification changes for 1970,
3-piece maple neck
-Schaller tuners with Gibson logo
-Schaller tuners (some with Gibson logo)
-Black truss rod cover with DOVE name in the center and white on the outside
Some of the guitars have the following specifications