Description

The Gibson J-50 Deluxe is essentially the same as the J-45 Deluxe except the natural finish replaces the J-45’s sunburst finish. Like the J-45, it has a jumbo body with a solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck. In 1967, most had an adjustable rosewood bridge, a 14/20-fret rosewood finger board with pearl dot inlay, large black or tortoise pick guard, and full body binding, top and back. And of course it had the huge sound for which vintage Jumbo Gibsons have been famous for decades.

This guitar appears to have serial number 863xxx (although it’s very hard to read), which probably dates it as 1967—fifty-four years of making music. As might be expected, there are some cosmetic concerns: there are a few dings, etc., and obvious bruising and pitting at the top shoulders of the lower bout. The pick guard is vintage Gibson black which had become the norm in 1967. The frets are in good shape, but there is some slight wear at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd frets—the “cowboy positions” where I play. The most conspicuous cosmetic issue is the replacement of the original sound-deadening adjustable bridge with a new rosewood bridge. The nicely aged binding around the top and bottom is all intact.

There are not any obvious structural issues: NO CRACKS in the top, back, neck, headstock, or sides, repaired or otherwise. The neck looks straight and the neck joint seems solid, the top is flat, the braces are intact, and the action is set up at a comfortable hair over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. HOWEVER, the entire guitar finish has been carefully stripped, lightly sanded, and a clear sealer coat added; as there’s no apparent structural damage, I assume there was a problem with finish crazing to the point of extensive flaking off. Presumably at the same time, the bridge, saddle, nut, decal, and tuners were replaced—the tuners with vintage enclosed Grovers, some previous screw holes visible. On a positive note[!], an under-saddle pickup and end- pin jack were added and work well.

In other words, it still looks like what it is--a great Gibson jumbo guitar which has been playing the hard-driving music for which it was made—but this guitar is never going to be for a collector to put in a museum; it sounds impressive, but it is far from completely “original.” However, this is a great player’s guitar, and I sincerely hope that its next owner is someone who will play it hard, well, and often. This guitar will reward such a player with great performances, and it really deserves no less.

The case is a virtually new Guardian hard shell case which the guitar fits perfectly. Naturally, the hinges and latches all work well, the exterior is spotless, and there is a key (which is good, because everyone will want to play this one). While it obviously is not a vintage complement to this vintage guitar, it affords far superior protection to this wonderful instrument than any “alligator” chip board case.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it.

Thank you for your interest in this cool vintage Gibson guitar.

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1967
Gibson J-50 Adj.
Good
Natural
Hard
9 Years
$2,795
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
9:48 AM
24/7 by e-mail: akmgj@bellsouth.net. I'm old; I don't sleep much.

Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.

From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.

I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.