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musical instrument details
Vintage 1963 Gibson J-50 Guitar
Estimated price for orientation: 2 000 $
Category: Other Vintage Guitars
Class:
Description Brand: Gibson Model: J-50 Exact Year: 1963 Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
I bought this guitar new in 1963 from Grinnel’s Music store in Monroe, MI 48161. I don’t remember exactly what I paid, but it was some hundreds of dollars plus I traded in a dual pickup Les Paul Special guitar in a nice plush lined case. I used the J-50 guitar heavily until, in 1965, I went into the Navy (Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2, (HC-2) out of Lakehurst, NJ, (where the Hindenburg disaster occurred on May 6, 1937). I carried it with me to Europe, the far East (Viet Nam), the West Indies, and many other places, but it never got much more use after. I came back different (PTSD) than when I left, things had all changed. The guitar has been largely un-used since 1970. Now I’m 75 years old, lost my musical touch, the left arm has nerve damage, etc, and it’s time to let go of my J-50. I just had it checked (and repaired) by Spruce Tree Music & Repair in Madison, WI. Gibson did a very foolish thing back in the 1963 era, for a couple of years they used a plastic bridge! As far as I know, those plastic bridges have all (including mine) failed, cracked. Wil at Spruce Tree replaced it with a proper bridge, and retained the original adjustable ceramic saddle, so the original tone should be there. It is nice and crisp and clear. He checked the guitar out, dressed the upper frets, and adjusted the neck, saddle, etc, all in like new condition, as far as I can see, except for the plastic bridge. I will include the original plastic bridge, and mounting screws, for nostalgia. The original case was actually made from imitation alligator cardboard! The stitching gave out long ago, and it fell apart. I still have it, if someone wants to try re-constructing it. A new, perfect fitting plush lined hard case is included with this guitar. Also included is a few picks, (I always used finger and thumb picks), also like new pitch pipes, and a clip-on electronic tuner. My feeling is the electronic tuner may get you close, but your own ear, and the pitch pipes, get you closer, then you complete the tuning in the regular way. Some misc. data, notes and info, along with a shoulder strap will be included. See the photo. Well, there’s the history on this J-50. I had a LOT of fun with it in the old days! You’ll see my military ID on the back of it, I leave it up to the buyer to either attempt removal, or just leave it alone.
Stan
Description
| Brand: | Gibson | Model: | J-50 |
| Exact Year: | 1963 | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
I bought this guitar new in 1963 from Grinnel’s Music store in Monroe, MI 48161. I don’t remember exactly what I paid, but it was some hundreds of dollars plus I traded in a dual pickup Les Paul Special guitar in a nice plush lined case. I used the J-50 guitar heavily until, in 1965, I went into the Navy (Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2, (HC-2) out of Lakehurst, NJ, (where the Hindenburg disaster occurred on May 6, 1937). I carried it with me to Europe, the far East (Viet Nam), the West Indies, and many other places, but it never got much more use after. I came back different (PTSD) than when I left, things had all changed. The guitar has been largely un-used since 1970. Now I’m 75 years old, lost my musical touch, the left arm has nerve damage, etc, and it’s time to let go of my J-50. I just had it checked (and repaired) by Spruce Tree Music & Repair in Madison, WI. Gibson did a very foolish thing back in the 1963 era, for a couple of years they used a plastic bridge! As far as I know, those plastic bridges have all (including mine) failed, cracked. Wil at Spruce Tree replaced it with a proper bridge, and retained the original adjustable ceramic saddle, so the original tone should be there. It is nice and crisp and clear. He checked the guitar out, dressed the upper frets, and adjusted the neck, saddle, etc, all in like new condition, as far as I can see, except for the plastic bridge. I will include the original plastic bridge, and mounting screws, for nostalgia. The original case was actually made from imitation alligator cardboard! The stitching gave out long ago, and it fell apart. I still have it, if someone wants to try re-constructing it. A new, perfect fitting plush lined hard case is included with this guitar. Also included is a few picks, (I always used finger and thumb picks), also like new pitch pipes, and a clip-on electronic tuner. My feeling is the electronic tuner may get you close, but your own ear, and the pitch pipes, get you closer, then you complete the tuning in the regular way. Some misc. data, notes and info, along with a shoulder strap will be included. See the photo. Well, there’s the history on this J-50. I had a LOT of fun with it in the old days! You’ll see my military ID on the back of it, I leave it up to the buyer to either attempt removal, or just leave it alone.
Stan
Stan