The CF-100 was an innovative design when Gibson offered its first flat-top cutaway instrument in 1950. Players touted the ease of playing provided by the Florentine cutaway and smaller body design.
This was Gibson’s only 1950’s flat top acoustic guitar with a cutaway. It is a well made guitar with a good sound. It features a 14 1/8" wide body (LG sized), pointed cutaway, solid "X" braced spruce top with scalloped braces, solid mahogany back and sides, teardrop pick-guard, upper belly bridge, bound rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets, trapezoid fingerboard inlays, gold decal logo and a sunburst finish.
There was also an electric version of this guitar, the CF-100e with a single coil P-90 pickup with adjustable poles at end of the fingerboard. Because of the pickup, the sound-hole is moved a bit closer to the bridge.
The Gibson CF-100, CF-100e were discontinued in 1959.
These rare and fancy models, made only during the 1950′s are one of the most requested Gibson acoustic guitars. The distinctive style and playability of these cutaways and their association with the likes of Roy Bookbinder, Jackson Browne, Gary Stewart and Leon Redbone are just some of the cool factors that make this model so extremely popular. With only about 1600 guitars produced, it’s also highly collectable.
CF100's have a more focused sound with plenty of volume for strumming, finger style and flat picking – louder than you would expect.
This guitar was owned and used by Arlen Roth. The only ‘cosmetic’ flaw is a jack entry which has been fitted on the lower side of the guitar to allow to place a pickup into the guitar.
