This guitar is a rare find of an already rare model.  I have heard varying estimates for how many of the US (Nashville Gibson factory) John Lee Hooker signature guitars were made, anywhere from 50 to 200.  I've also heard that there were a few over run guitars that made it out of the factory without a serial number in the hands of employees.  The story that I got with this guitar is that it is one of the over run guitars, and everything about this guitar fits that story perfectly.

As can be seen in the pics, all of the features, right down to the number of layers to the binding of each part of the guitar matches correctly.  The workmanship also appears consistent with other Nashville guitars from this era.  This guitar definitely has a nitro lacquer finish which was done beautifully.  Also, notice the Gibson spec truss rod.  This is clearly not an Asian built guitar in disguise, this is an American built guitar, 100%.

The guitar appears to have been taken out of the factory right after being finished.  It never received a serial number or label.  It also never had  a truss rod cover installed.

It's had a few modifications during it's life, all of which have been returned back as much to original as could be done.  At one point it clearly had a Bigsby on it, as can be identified by the small holes in the top lower bout and in the heel.  It has been returned to its original stop tailpiece configuration.  Also, the last owner had routed the pickup holes to install P90s in it.  The job was clearly done freehand, rather than with a jig, but is not really noticeable unless you were to look closely.  Since this guitar should have mini-humbuckers in it, and Gibson has long made mini-humbuckers that are a perfect drop in replacement for a P90 soapbar, I returned the guitar to genuine Gibson humbuckers.

After getting the correct parts back on it, it received a fresh fret level and setup.  It will come with a Guild Starfire case that fits the guitar very nicely.