Gibson Songwriter Deluxe 2008

Launched in 2003, the Songwriter series is Gibson’s modern square-shoulder dreadnought line: long-scale for extra headroom, contemporary appointments, and Bozeman build quality. The Deluxe spec pairs a solid Sitka spruce top with solid rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard/bridge, multi-ply binding, and an abalone rosette.

It was conceived as a stage-ready update to Gibson’s classic dreadnought recipe and has remained a consistent catalog model. The Songwriter has appeared on major stages with artists including Taylor Swift and Paramore’s Taylor York, among others, and is widely used by touring pop/rock and country players for its mix of clarity and low-end punch.

This 2008 example is clean, with just standard playwear, and few marks. The top has a few minor dings, the back has what could be a slight nitro burn, it’s so little it can’t be seen in the photos. Frets are effectively like new. A strap button has been added at the neck heel, and an aftermarket Hummingbird-style pickguard has been installed. The original pickguard is not included. There’s an LR Baggs Element undersaddle pickup with soundhole volume control.

The guitar sounds great. really big, open, and balanced, with strong projection from the 25.5″ scale and rosewood body. Weight is 2400g. It includes the original Gibson hardshell case with black exterior and blue interior; no case candy.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Body shape: Dreadnought
• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & sides: Solid rosewood
• Bracing: Hand-scalloped Advanced X pattern
• Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose, natural
• Binding: Multi-ply top, single-ply back
• Rosette: Double-ring with abalone center
• Neck: Mahogany, rounded profile, 14-fret set neck
• Scale length: 25.5″ (647.7 mm)
• Fingerboard: Ebony, split-parallelogram inlays, ≈12″ radius
• Frets: 20, medium
• Nut width: 1.725″ (≈43.8 mm)
• Nut & saddle: Tusq
• Bridge: Ebony “Custom Line” style, compensated saddle
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic
• Electronics: LR Baggs Element undersaddle, soundhole volume
• Case: Original Gibson hardshell case