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Gibson

GIbson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Acoustic Guitar w/Case (1959)

GIbson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Acoustic Guitar w/Case (1959)

Regular price $5,499.95 CAD
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First offered in 1947, the J-50 was one of the first new offerings from Gibson post World War 2 (with the other new guitar being the LG-3 which started production in 1946). This model was pretty much identical the the J-45 model aside from the finish (natural on the J-50 vs sunburst on the J-45) and a black & white purfling along the top of the guitar. From 1947 to 1954 this model stayed unchanged. In the 1950's these guitars received numerous changes to them. In the early '50s the bridge on the J-50 & J-45 was changed from the rectangle bridge to the top-belly bridge as seen on this guitar. In 1955, the fretboard was lengthened to 20 frets and the bracing was changed from tall scalloped top bracing to shorter un-scalloped top bracing. In 1956, which is when this guitar was built, Gibson started offering the J-50 and J-45 (as well as other models) in both a traditional acoustic bridge and the newer adjustable saddle version. In 1959 when this guitar was made Gibson had just made the switch to the wide-crown frets.

This guitar had professional structural work done on it roughly 30-35 years ago by a West Coast Luthier.   All the work was done to a high standard and has aged well, and is one of the reasons that this instrument is holding up well today. 

The top was removed with the 2 large cracks glued and cleated and has been re-braced with nicely scalloped braces, a new maple bridge plate made, and some new kerfing in a couple of places.  All braces are holding well and the top shows no signs of being distorted.   The binding was matched to original and then the top was over sprayed as far as we can tell.  We assume at this point in time the bridge was replaced (with fixed saddle-not the original adjustable one)  and neck re-attached at a proper angle.   

As this work was completed a long time ago it has settled in and aged well. Frets have good height and action is set to spec (3/32 bass, 1/8 treble at 12th). Aside from some surface dings and wear, the only other noticeable thing is that the G string tuner post is slightly bent. The tuner still works with no issues.  This instrument does have that classic Gibson flat top sound when compared with others from the same period.  

Here is the write up from the Gibson catalog at the time

"A popular-priced jumbo guitar with exceptional resonance and response. Made of finest materials, with Gibson proved bracing and construction.

Features: Selected spruce top, Honduras mahogany back and rim, with attractive ivoroid binding and purfling. Slim, fast, low-action neck - one piece mahogany with adjustable truss rod. Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays. GIbson special rosewood bridge or adjustable bridge. Tortoise shell finish finger rest. Nickel-plated enclosed machine heads.

Gibson's much-acclaimed adjustable bridge is available with this model at no extra cost"

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