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Description

The Gibson J-50 is essentially the same as the J-45 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 1966, most had an adjustable rosewood bridge, a 14/20-fret rosewood finger board with pearl dot inlay, a large tortoise pick guard, and full body binding, top and back. And of course it had the huge sound for which vintage Jumbo Gibsons have now been famous for decades.

This guitar is serial number 802383 (visible in picture 12 of the back of the headstock), which fairly reliably dates it as 1966—fifty-four years of making music. As might be expected, there are a few cosmetic concerns; there are a number of dings, buckle rash, etc., and there is also substantial crazing in the finish (of course). The pick guard is vintage Gibson tortoise, not the black which became the norm in 1967, and the Kluson Deluxe tuners are original. The frets are generally in very good shape, but there is some slight wear at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd frets of the fret board itself—the “cowboy positions” where I play. The saddle has been upgraded to bone, and the strap buttons are obviously replacements.

Remarkably, there are to my knowledge no structural issues or evidence of repairs. Starting with the top, I see no cracks, repaired or otherwise; no sign of a re-glued bridge; no apparent re-fret; and no indications of a neck repair or neck joint re-set. Even the nicely aged binding around the top and bottom is all intact. The action is set up at a fast and comfortable hair under 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, and the sound of course is excellent, the seasoned tonewoods producing tone and resonance which takes years to develop.

In other words, it is a great Gibson jumbo guitar which has been playing the hard-driving music for which it was made. This guitar is not quite perfect enough for a collector to put it in a museum; however, this is a great guitar in great playing condition, 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 for many years to come, 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 fine Gibson guitar.

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1966
Gibson J-50 Adj.
Very Good
Hard
9 Years
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
2:05 PM
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.