Museum historian Kevin Strait tells us about Chuck Berry's guitar "Maybellene," which he helped to collect. It can be found in the Musical Crossroads exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Smithsonian Artifact Featured in this Video
Electric guitar belonging to Chuck Berry, nicknamed "Maybellene"
View More about Electric guitar belonging to Chuck Berry, nicknamed "Maybellene"
- Description
- A Gibson ES-350T semi-acoustic guitar named Maybellene. The wood is light, and the tuning keys are damaged. A black and orange label with the serial number (A33643) and where the guitar was made (Kalamazoo, MI) can be seen through one of the F-holes. The case is treated canvas on wood with velvet lining.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Manufactured by
- Gibson Guitar Corp., American, founded 1894
- Owned by
- Chuck Berry, American, 1926 - 2017
- Subject of
- Chess Records, American, founded 1950
- Date
- 1959
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Donation of Charles E. Berry
- Medium
- wood and metal
- Dimensions
- 41 x 17 x 4 in. (104.1 x 43.2 x 10.2 cm)
- Type
- guitars
