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1962 Gibson J-200N

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Serial #: 74417, stamped on endblock. Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.95

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid bookmatched figured maple back and sides; 7 ply maple neck with walnut centerstripes; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; mother of pearl fingerboard inlay, crown peghead inlay and pearl Gibson logo; 7-ply top binding, bound headstock, neck and back; original bone nut.

Hardware: Original hardware includes gold Pat. Pending Grover Rotomatic tuners, pearl-inlaid rosewood 'moustache' bridge. Vintage correct engraved red tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Gibson's premier flat top guitar, the venerable J-200 had its origin with singing cowboy Ray Whitley, who received the first example late in 1937. A 12 fret rosewood guitar with an L-5 neck, inlays and pickguard, this prototype was designated as an 'L-5 Special'. By the following year a 14 fret model reached the market, and maple bodies made their debut in 1947. The first blonde examples appeared a year later, and by the early 50's the body depth had increased to a full 5" at the endpin. Notable J-200 players have included Gene Autry, Merle Travis, the Everly Brothers, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, and Emmy Lou Harris, whose trademark super jumbo was a gift from Gram Parsons himself.

Blonde J-200s are rare, and this guitar is one of just 54 examples in natural finish from its model year. The back is heavily figured with bubble flame maple, the X-braced spruce top shows phenomenally tight grain, and the multi-ply neck shows particularly intense tiger flame throughout. The instrument is in fine shape, with original moustache bridge, gold Grover Pat. pending Rotomatic tuners, and a deeply ambered original nitro lacquer finish. The acoustic voice has been enhanced with the addition of a solid compensated bone saddle.

Gibson used a number of different neck designs in this era, including two and three piece versions, but this ornate 7 piece neck is one of very few we have seen on this model. The comfy D profile neck has a handsome Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and the action is fast and low over fine pro fretwork and a fresh high precision setup. The body shows some scattered normal checking, and the top is fitted with a recent vintage correct engraved red tortoise pickguard. A single short hairline crack has been soundly resealed at the waist near the bass side, and a small stress crack at the corner of the peghead is tightly sealed as well, with a bit of spot finish touchup, and does not extend through the neck. The voice is particularly fine: full, clear, and deeply resonant, with excellent definition, sustain and volume.

An outstanding example of Gibson's ultimate strummer, this gleaming guitar combines effortless playability with classic Western design. Call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge conditioned; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. This instrument is strung with medium gauge phosphor bronze strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings.

Case: Original deluxe black Gibson hardshell case with gold plush lining.

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