Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips

archtop.com

1956 Gibson J-50

Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].

FON#: V-5852-9

Body size at lower bout: 15 3/4" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid quartersawn bookmatched spruce top; Honduras mahogany back, sides and neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge; mother of pearl dot fingerboard inlays; 3-ply top binding, swirl tortoise pickguard, bone saddle, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct hand antiqued nickel Kluson Deluxe three-on-a-plate tuners.

Notes: The coveted blonde version of Gibson's most popular full sized flat top, the J-50 made its debut in 1942, and remains in the catalog to this day. Produced in fewer numbers than the sunburst J-45, the J-50 also sold at a premium price. The signature slope-shouldered design and clear vibrant tone have made Gibson Jumbos a standby of Nashville players, and vintage examples have skyrocketed on the collector's market. And this handsome guitar has all the right stuff: the classic x-braced construction, tall skinny braces, round shoulders, and reverse-belly bridge.

One of the first examples built with the larger tortoise guard, this guitar is also one of the last with the traditional prewar style all wooden bridge. At a featherweight 4 lb. 7oz, the instrument is wonderfully balanced, on the lap or the strap, and has smooth low action over a comfy, traditional full C neck profile, with fine original fretwork, and a nice high bone saddle.

Years of vigorous play have given the guitar an exceptionally open, clear and forward voice, with phenomenal projection and sustain, and magnificent resonance throughout the range. Maintained in fine condition, the guitar has 100% original finish, ambered to a gorgeous honey blonde, and showing only light normal playwear, mostly around the soundhole and pickguard. A single tight grainline crack has been soundly resealed on the back, along with a typical tiny shrinkage crack between pickguard and soundhole.

This sweet old Gibson proves what the fuss is all about, every time you pick her up. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings.

Case: Original black arched hardshell case with green felt lining.

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips