Gibson Dove Guitar Review

The Gibson Dove Guitar is the King of Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitars, so it’s fitting that this guitar was made very popular by the King of Rock n’ Roll: Elvis Presely.

Elvis toured with the Dove Custom in 1976-77, during his later years, and helped showcase the guitar on a whole new level. It gained massive popularity because of it’s association with Mr. Presely.

The Elvis Presely Gibson Dove Guitar is his signature model, and many later pictures of Elvis show him with his ebony axe. Of course, this is a beautiful instrument regardless of its associations. It remains Gibson’s second flat top guitar, right behind the Hummingbird.

This axe was first crafted in 1962 in Gibby’s Kalamazoo factory in Michigan. In 2002, the Dove became part of Gibson’s “Modern Classics” series. The Dove has, of course, undergone various changes through the years. In 1968 a heavier, more robust bracing was used on the guitar. While this icreated a sturdier guitar, many players complained of reduced value and a lack of tone. In 1992, Gibson switched production of the Dove to the Bozeman, Montana factory where it is still made today.

Doves in Flight

The Doves in Flight guitar is a “fancier” version of the Dove. It’s quite a bit more ornate, and you’ll find a number of mother of pearl doves on the pickguard, a few mother of pearl doves on the headstock, and two mother of pearl dove inlays on the fingerboard (instead of parallelograms). In other words, a whole lotta Dove on this axe.

1. Elvis Presley

2. Scotty Moore

My Gibson Dove Guitar Review

This guitar really sings. What I mean is that it has amazing projection, much like a professional singer that sings with enough force that they don’t need a microphone.

It also has a warm low end, and the guitar resonates very well throughout its entire range. Sometimes this guitar reminds me more of a grand piano, that’s how hearty this instrument is.

If you buy this guitar new, you may think this action is a little high. It often ships that way so every guitar player can make their own adjustments. Once you have the action set up to your liking, the slim neck makes for very smooth playing.

The Dove is not a beginner guitar by any stretch, but if you’re considering an investment in a high-end acoustic guitar that has stood the test of time, the Dove makes a strong case.

Specifications:

• Curly maple back and sides

• Solid Sitka spruce top

• Bound fingerboard with pearl parallelogram markers

• 25-1/2″ scale

• Handmade dove-wing bridge

• Mother-of-pearl inlays

• Distinctive engraved pickguard with inlaid mother-of-pearl dove

• L.R. Baggs transducer with soundhole mounted volume control

• Gibson hardshell case

• Grover Rotomatic Tuners

• Bone nut and Tusq saddle

• “Big Sky” radiused fingerboard edge

• Industry’s finest electronics

• Premium hardshell case

• Distinctive labels