The Gibson Custom Elvis Dove in Ebony is a striking tribute to one of the most recognisable acoustic guitars associated with Elvis Presley, recreating the customised 1969 Gibson Dove that became a regular part of his live performances during the 1970s.

Built around the classic square-shoulder Dove body, the Elvis Dove combines a solid Sitka spruce top with solid maple back and sides, a mahogany neck and an Indian rosewood fingerboard. The result is a powerful, articulate acoustic with plenty of projection, clarity and headroom.

The guitar is equipped with Baggs VTC electronics, making it equally at home on stage as it is acoustically, while the Ebony nitrocellulose finish, gold hardware, Dove bridge detailing and distinctive vertical ELVIS truss rod cover give the model its unmistakable visual identity.

This Pre-Owned example is in Good condition and includes a Gibson hardshell case.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Gibson
Model	Elvis Dove
Series	Gibson Custom
Finish	Ebony
Body Style	Square Shoulder Dove
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Solid Maple
Fingerboard	Indian Rosewood
Electronics	Baggs VTC
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Gibson Hardshell Case Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Elvis Dove in Good condition.

The Good condition grade reflects an instrument with noticeable cosmetic signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and suitable for continued playing.

Given the Ebony gloss nitrocellulose finish and gold-plated hardware, light surface marks, handling wear and some natural ageing of the hardware may be visible.

Please study the photographs carefully for the exact cosmetic condition of this individual guitar.

A Gibson hardshell case is included.

ELVIS PRESLEY CONNECTION

The Gibson Elvis Dove is based on a customised 1969 Gibson Dove given to Elvis Presley by his father, Vernon Presley.

Elvis used the original guitar extensively in concert from 1971 to 1975, including during the famous Aloha From Hawaii performance.

In 1975, Elvis gave the original Dove to an audience member during a concert in Asheville, North Carolina.

This Gibson Custom model recreates the distinctive visual character of that instrument while adding modern stage-ready electronics.

KEY FEATURES

• Gibson Custom Elvis Dove

• Ebony finish

• Elvis Presley signature model

• Square-shoulder Dove body

• Solid Sitka spruce top

• Solid maple back and sides

• Traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing

• Mahogany neck

• Rounded neck profile

• Indian rosewood fingerboard

• 12" fingerboard radius

• 25.5" scale length

• 20 frets

• Mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays

• Compound dovetail neck joint

• Hot hide glue construction

• Bone nut

• 1.73" nut width

• Rosewood Dove bridge

• Mother-of-pearl Dove bridge inlays

• Bone saddle

• Gold hardware

• Gold Keystone Waffleback tuners

• Baggs VTC pickup and preamp

• Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone

• Gibson hardshell case included

• Good Pre-Owned condition

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The Elvis Dove combines three things particularly well: classic Gibson acoustic construction, distinctive Elvis-related styling and genuine stage practicality.

The solid Sitka spruce and maple body provides the powerful, clear response associated with a Dove, while the long 25.5" scale adds definition and projection.

Visually, the Ebony finish, gold hardware and unique Elvis appointments make it much more distinctive than a standard Dove.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Solid Sitka Spruce Top

The guitar uses a solid Sitka spruce top, providing excellent dynamic range, clarity and projection.

Sitka spruce responds well to both light fingerstyle playing and stronger strumming.

Solid Maple Back & Sides

The solid maple back and sides contribute definition, focus and a strong fundamental note.

This helps give the Dove its clear and powerful voice.

Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing

The top is supported by traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing.

This allows the soundboard to respond freely while retaining the structural strength required for a large square-shoulder acoustic.

Square-Shoulder Dove Body

The Dove body is a full-sized square-shoulder design with plenty of acoustic volume and low-end presence.

It is especially effective for strumming, rhythm work and vocal accompaniment.

Mahogany Neck

The guitar uses a mahogany neck with a rounded profile.

The rounded shape provides a traditional Gibson acoustic feel without being excessively bulky.

Indian Rosewood Fingerboard

The Indian rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface and complements the guitar's traditional acoustic construction.

Mother-of-Pearl Parallelogram Inlays

Mother-of-pearl parallelogram fingerboard inlays provide the classic high-end Gibson Dove aesthetic.

25.5" Scale Length

The 25.5" scale length provides a little more string tension and articulation than shorter-scale Gibson acoustics.

This contributes to the Dove's strong projection and clear note separation.

12" Fingerboard Radius

The 12" radius provides a comfortable balance between chord work and lead playing.

Compound Dovetail Neck Joint

The neck is joined to the body using a compound dovetail joint with hot hide glue.

This is a traditional high-end acoustic construction method associated with Gibson's premium instruments.

Bone Nut & Saddle

The nut and saddle are both bone, providing durable string contact points with excellent transmission of vibration.

DISTINCTIVE ELVIS DETAILS

The Elvis Dove includes several model-specific visual features that separate it from a standard Dove.

These include:

• Ebony gloss nitrocellulose finish

• Vertical ELVIS truss rod cover

• Gold hardware

• Gold Keystone Waffleback tuners

• Mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and crown headstock inlays

• Rosewood Dove bridge with mother-of-pearl Dove inlays

• Plain black vintage Dove-style pickguard with white bevel

BAGGS VTC ELECTRONICS

The guitar is fitted with Baggs VTC electronics.

An under-saddle piezo pickup captures the natural acoustic response of the instrument, while discreet soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone controls allow quick adjustment without cutting a large preamp panel into the side of the guitar.

This makes the Elvis Dove ready for:

• Live performance

• Acoustic amplification

• PA systems

• Recording interfaces

• Acoustic amplifiers

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Gibson Elvis Dove is particularly well suited to:

• Elvis Presley fans

• Gibson acoustic collectors

• Singer-songwriters

• Live acoustic performers

• Country players

• Rock and roll musicians

• Folk players

• Strumming-focused guitarists

• Collectors of artist signature models

• Players wanting a premium Dove with stage-ready electronics

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The Elvis Dove works particularly well for:

• Rock and roll

• Country

• Folk

• Americana

• Singer-songwriter material

• Acoustic rock

• Blues

• Strumming

• Vocal accompaniment

• Studio recording

• Live performance

HOW IT COMPARES

Elvis Dove vs Standard Gibson Dove

The Elvis Dove shares the core Dove formula of a solid spruce top, maple back and sides and long scale length.

The Elvis model adds its distinctive Ebony finish, Elvis truss rod cover, specialised bridge detailing and artist-specific visual appointments.

Dove vs J-45

A J-45 uses mahogany back and sides and has a warmer, rounder voice.

The maple-bodied Dove tends to sound clearer, brighter and more articulate, with greater note separation.

Dove vs Hummingbird

Both are square-shoulder Gibson acoustics, but the Dove uses a longer 25.5" scale and maple back and sides, resulting in a more projecting and defined response.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Series	Gibson Custom
Model	Elvis Dove
Model Code	AMSSEDEB
Finish	Ebony
Body Shape	Dove
Body Style	Square Shoulder
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back	Solid Maple
Sides	Solid Maple
Bracing	Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing
Body Binding	5-Ply Top / 3-Ply Back
Body Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Profile	Rounded
Neck Joint	Compound Dovetail / Hot Hide Glue
Fingerboard	Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	25.5"
Frets	20 Standard
Inlays	Mother-of-Pearl Parallelograms
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	43.82mm / 1.73"
Bridge	Rosewood Dove
Bridge Inlays	Mother-of-Pearl Dove Inlays
Saddle	Bone
Bridge Pins	Tusq
Pickguard	Vintage Dove Shape, Plain Black
Pickup	Baggs VTC Under-Saddle
Preamp	Baggs VTC
Controls	Soundhole-Mounted Volume & Tone
Output	1/4" Endpin Jack
Tuners	Keystone Waffleback
Hardware	Gold
Truss Rod	Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover	Vertical ELVIS
Case	Gibson Hardshell Case
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

The onboard Baggs VTC electronics require battery power for amplified operation.

The guitar can be played acoustically without any power source.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Gibson acoustic enthusiasts, Elvis Presley fans and performers looking for a premium square-shoulder acoustic with strong projection and a distinctive visual identity.

Customers usually upgrade from: Mid-priced electro-acoustics, Epiphone Inspired by Gibson acoustics, standard dreadnoughts and more affordable artist signature guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Acoustic amplifiers, PA systems, DI boxes, vocal microphones and high-quality instrument cables.

Our tip: The Dove platform excels as a strumming guitar. The maple back and sides keep large open chords articulate, so it works exceptionally well behind a vocal without becoming muddy.

Showroom feedback: The Elvis Dove has considerably more going for it than its artist association alone. The long-scale maple-bodied construction gives it a powerful and focused acoustic voice, while the Ebony and gold combination makes it one of the most visually distinctive modern Gibson Dove models.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Elvis Dove offers the opportunity to own a premium artist-model Gibson acoustic at a more accessible price than buying new.

This example is in Good condition and includes its Gibson hardshell case.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging Gibson and premium Pre-Owned acoustic guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Gibson and premium Pre-Owned guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Gibson Elvis Dove.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Gibson Elvis Dove used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Elvis Dove in Good condition.

What finish does it have?

Ebony.

Is this an Elvis Presley signature model?

Yes. It is based on the customised 1969 Gibson Dove associated with Elvis Presley.

Is it based on a real Elvis guitar?

Yes. The model is based on a Dove given to Elvis by his father, Vernon Presley, and used by Elvis extensively during the 1970s.

What is the top made from?

Solid Sitka spruce.

What are the back and sides made from?

Solid maple.

What is the neck made from?

Mahogany.

What fingerboard does it have?

Indian rosewood.

What is the neck profile?

Rounded.

What is the scale length?

25.5".

What is the nut width?

Approximately 1.73".

How many frets does it have?

20.  

What electronics does it use?

A Baggs VTC under-saddle pickup and preamp system.

Where are the controls?

Volume and Tone controls are mounted discreetly inside the soundhole.

Does it have a solid top?

Yes.

Are the back and sides solid?

Yes. They are solid maple.

What kind of bracing does it use?

Traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing.

Does it have a bone nut and saddle?

Yes.

What tuners does it have?

Gold Keystone Waffleback tuning machines.

What condition is it in?

It is in Good condition.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A Gibson hardshell case is included.

Is it suitable for live performance?

Yes. The Baggs VTC electronics make it stage-ready.

Is it suitable for strumming?

Yes. The large square-shoulder body, long scale and maple construction make it particularly effective for powerful rhythm playing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.