For Sale: 2003 Gibson Dove – Heritage Cherry Sunburst | Flame Maple | LR Baggs | OHSC

Up for sale is a 2003 Gibson Dove in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, complete with its original Gibson hard-shell case.

The Dove is one of Gibson’s most iconic square-shoulder acoustics, combining the projection and power of a long-scale dreadnought with the clarity and definition of maple construction. This beautiful 2003 example features a solid Sitka spruce top, flame maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, classic Dove appointments, and gorgeous Heritage Cherry Sunburst nitrocellulose finish.

Unlike the warmer, darker character typically associated with a rosewood-bodied dreadnought, the Dove has a clear, immediate voice with excellent note separation and plenty of projection. This guitar has also been fitted with an aftermarket LR Baggs Element pickup, making it equally at home acoustically or plugged in on stage.

Condition

Very Good – 8.5/10

• Light scratches from normal use
• Dings throughout
• Finish checking throughout the guitar
• Beautiful naturally aged appearance
• Overall very nice condition for a 2003 instrument

The finish checking is cosmetic and gives the guitar a great naturally aged character that looks right at home on a 20+ year-old nitro-finished Gibson.

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

There are no cracks, breaks, repairs, or structural issues.

The neck is straight and stable, the frets are in excellent playing condition, and the guitar has been professionally inspected and set up by our in-house luthier.

It plays cleanly up and down the fingerboard with comfortable action and no buzzing or dead spots.

The original Gibson hard-shell case is included.

Specifications

• Model: Gibson Dove
• Year: 2003
• Made in USA
• Serial Number: 02093019
• Finish: Heritage Cherry Sunburst
• Finish Type: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Style: Square-Shoulder Dreadnought
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Back & Sides: Flame Maple
• Bracing: Traditional X-Bracing
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Profile: Rounded
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Parallelograms
• Radius: 12"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Frets: 20
• Nut Width: 1.72"
• Neck Depth: .82" at the 1st Fret
• Neck Depth: .88" at the 9th Fret
• Bridge: Traditional Dove-Style Rosewood Bridge
• Pickguard: Traditional Dove Pickguard
• Tuners: Grover Keystone
• Electronics: Aftermarket LR Baggs Element
• Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz
• Case: Original Gibson Hard-Shell Case

Classic Gibson Dove Design

Introduced in the early 1960s, the Dove became one of Gibson’s most recognizable acoustic designs.

While it shares the square-shouldered silhouette of other Gibson dreadnoughts, its longer 25.5" scale and maple back and sides give it a personality all its own.

Visually, the Dove is unmistakable.

The Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, flame maple back and sides, mother-of-pearl parallelogram fingerboard inlays, decorative Dove pickguard, and distinctive Dove bridge create one of the most recognizable acoustic guitars Gibson has ever produced.

This 2003 example has also aged beautifully. The light cosmetic wear and natural finish checking give the nitrocellulose finish plenty of vintage character without taking away from the overall presentation of the instrument.

Flame Maple Back & Sides

One of the defining characteristics of the Dove is its maple construction.

The flame maple back and sides aren't simply a visual feature—they play a major role in the guitar's distinctive sound.

Maple tends to produce a focused, articulate response with excellent note separation. Combined with the solid Sitka spruce top, the result is a big acoustic voice that remains clear even when strummed aggressively.

The figuring in the maple also looks fantastic beneath the Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish and gives the guitar the premium appearance expected from one of Gibson’s flagship acoustics.

Tone & Feel

This Dove has a big, clear, powerful acoustic voice.

The Sitka spruce top provides excellent dynamic range and projection, while the maple back and sides contribute clarity, punch, and definition.

The 25.5" scale length provides a little more string tension than Gibson’s shorter-scale acoustics, contributing to the Dove's strong projection and immediate response.

Chords have excellent separation, individual notes remain defined, and the guitar has enough headroom to handle aggressive strumming without becoming muddy.

The neck measures .82" at the 1st fret and .88" at the 9th fret, giving it a comfortable profile that doesn't feel excessively large.

At 5 lbs 2 oz, the guitar feels substantial and resonant in the hands.

Most importantly, it plays and sounds fantastic.

LR Baggs Element Pickup

This guitar has been upgraded with an aftermarket LR Baggs Element pickup system.

The Element is a popular choice for professional acoustic amplification and makes this Dove ready for gigs, rehearsals, recording, or any situation where plugging directly into an acoustic amp, PA, or interface is needed.

The pickup installation is the notable modification to the guitar and adds useful functionality without taking away from its classic acoustic character.

Original Hard-Shell Case

The guitar comes complete with its original Gibson hard-shell case.

Having the original case is a nice addition to a 20+ year-old Gibson acoustic and provides excellent protection for storage, transportation, and shipping.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the exact instrument—no stock photos.

At the end of the photo set, you'll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly show the scratches, dings, finish checking, and any other cosmetic wear.

We don't just describe the condition—we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many of our customers tell us their guitars arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

Buy with confidence knowing your instrument will arrive safely and exactly as described.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013

💬 Message anytime—we’re always happy to help!

This 2003 Gibson Dove in Heritage Cherry Sunburst is a beautiful, naturally aged example of one of Gibson’s most iconic acoustic guitars. With its Sitka spruce top, flame maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, long 25.5" scale, classic Dove appointments, LR Baggs Element pickup, and original Gibson hard-shell case, it delivers the powerful, articulate voice and unmistakable appearance that have made the Dove a classic.

Professionally set up and ready for its next owner.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp

Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006