The Gibson Citation, first introduced in 1969, is one of their finest archtops. Around ten were made during the first production run which lasted until 1971. Gibson reintroduced the Citation in 1979-1983 and again as part of the Gibson Historic Collection in 1993. It has a 17" full-depth body with figured maple back and sides and a carved maple or spruce top with fancy inlays. The neck is made of figured maple or mahogany. The Citation is typically equipped with a gold-covered floating BJB pickup, and comes in natural and sunburst finishes.
Gibson described the Citation as follows in their 1994 promotional brochure for the GIbson Historic Collection:
"Gibson's Historic Collection would not be complete without the addition of the legendary Citation. This hand crafted guitar is as complex to produce as it is beautiful to see. Exquisite appointments such as multiple bound from and back headstock and “Cloud” inlays of pearl or abalone limit production of the Citation to twelve instruments per year.
Because no two Citations receive the same appointments, this guitar is an immediate collector‘s item. The Citation is truly a hand crafted Gibson instrument. The body is carved from hand-picked spruce and premium choice AAA grade figured maple. Intricate binding is applied to every part of this instrument. including the heel cap. The pickguard is fashioned out of the same AAA grade wood used on the Citation‘s body while the tailpiece is 24 carat gold plated. Finish is hand applied in thin layers exclusively by Gibson's top technicians."