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1963 Gibson J-50
Gibson’s acoustic designs were evolving – or possibly devolving – quite quickly through the first years of the 1960s, with 1963 being the final year of celluloid pickguards and the smaller version of those first plywood bridgeplates. But the big changes were still a year away when this guitar was built, and the necks on 1963 guitars are very highly regarded by players of all stripes. Expect a full-width 1-11/16” nut, and a not-too-big-but-not-too-small neck carve that’s remarkably comfortable. The headstock pitch and shape, too, are still ‘50s hold-overs along with the single-line Kluson tuners and nylon nut.
This guitar was converted from its original adjustable saddle configuration by our shop within the last two years. The bridge is an aged replica with bone drop-in saddle, and the thick plywood bridgeplate was replaced with a much thinner one of solid maple, making a marked improvement on the guitar’s tone. While we were at it, we replaced the frets and upgraded the pins to Antique Acoustic replicas. There are a few back repairs that were glued and well-reinforced many years ago. The work wasn’t done by us, but it is very solidly done with significant cleating that’s keeping things in place. There are no side cracks and only one very small top crack – visible just to the left of the soundhole. Apart from the back repairs and some playwear the guitar is in quite fine shape, with braces that are all well glued, a good neck angle, and top-level playability. The finish is 100% original and without any touch-up or repair.
Set up with our standard 5-6 64th action, 12-53 strings, and a full height saddle.
With hardshell case
