1964 Gibson J-200

$3,150.00

  • Year: 1964
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: J-200
  • Case: Original Hard
  • Color: Blond
  • Condition: Very Good
  • Description: Gibson J-200..king of the cowboy guitars and top of the Gibson flattop line. This example conforms to all the appointments of a '64 blond J-200 including a five-piece laminated neck, ebony fingerboard with fancy pearl inlay, and gold plated tuners (original); the body has maple back and sides with a spruce top; molded pickguard (original); ‘mustache’ bridge (replaced). It’s evident that the bridge was replaced sometime in the past. There is some tear-out and touch up of the top around the bridge perimeter. Additionally, and perhaps because of the bridge height, the neck appears to have been loosened and a shim added to the heel as a way to ‘reverse’ neckset the guitar. This was likely necessary to provide the proper neck-to-body geometry for optimum playing action. A splice on the heel cap is evident, as is shim material at the end of the heel. Under UV light, finish touchup is evident along the heel/body joint. The maple bridge plate appears to be original. The finish is original, but for the aforementioned touchup. The guitar shows a bit of playing wear accrued over the years, as well as some finish wear where the right arm rests on the body. Finish wear and a capo dent are evident on the back of the neck, and finger divots are evident in the first position of the fretboard. The binding along the treble side of the fingerboard extension is separated from the board, but appears to be glued tight. The top shows a crack which runs under the pickguard to the bridge. It’s is very tight and may not require glue. One of the long X-braces had loose tips on each end, and was reglued. The guitar plays smoothly, with good action, and produces a strong, thumpy sound when fingerpicked. The guitar appears to retain its original hard case.