So I recently (yesterday ) happened to get my hands on a vintage Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar. From the serial number and the tuners, I believe it to be a 1966 model. Anyway, the thing is, after a number of Google searches and a visit to a local bookstore, I've had very little luck in finding information about the J-200. I'd like to get some more confirmation that it is definitely a '66 model, but I'd also just like to get some general info on the guitar, including what it could be worth. If anyone has some info or (even better) a link to some info, pictures, or anything, it'd be greatly appreciated.
I'd kill for it. How do you get to Desperation? I assume it's in Texas or New Mexico... or Georgia. Or Mississippi.
Ohio, my friend. It was beautiful yesterday, over 70 degrees, and today it's freezing. But hey, that's Ohio. Anyway, I think that today I'll email Gibson with some pictures of the guitar, along with the serial number, and see if they can give me any information. Maybe I'll post some pictures here, too.
Well, it's in very nice condition with the original hard shell case. It's also fitted with a vintage (looks like ones I've seen from the '50s), removable DeArmond pickup. The only thing is my grandpa had this little metal thing with his initials put on the front. It doesn't look too bad, though, and I actually kind of like it. It really doesn't matter, though, because I'll obviously never sell it. I'm just curious as to what it could be worth. It's such a beauty, though. I think I'm going to take those pictures later tonight.
All right, the pictures are in my gallery now. I'd go ahead and post them right in the thread, but I don't want to make people load a bunch of big files.
Well, it was actually from my grandpa, not my dad. Haha, but yeah, I'm lucky that I have a guitarist for a grandpa.
But if your dad hadn't raped your mom in da back alley you'd never have been born to inherit said asskicking machine
Okay, so I got a response from Gibson, and this J-200 is actually a 1969. They said that the tuners on this guitar, which they supposedly stopped using around 1968, were probably put on because Gibson had some left over. Anyway, I'm still looking for more info, as Gibson, for some reason, would give me no info other than the production year.
probably the best place to get info on it, would be to bring it into some of the local guitar shops around town and ask the people there. not sure if there are, but if you havent done that, that would probably be your best bet for info.
That's a beaut.I love the coloring on the side.What kind of info are you looking for? Google "Gibson J-200 serial numbers" and you should find a web page or two that corroborates (or not) Gibson's dating of it.Just Googling "Gibson J-200" will eventually get you some stories/factoids on the model. And the book "Those Gibson Flat-Tops" has a chapter on the J-200.If I recall,that model was the first one with that Jumbo (J) body size,which was a response to Martin's revolutionary D-size guitars,which came out in the 1930's.The J-200 was the choice of a lot of cowboy singers in the 40's and 50's. A good one has a sound all it's own,not necessarily as loud as the body size would imply.It's been called "the whispering giant." Among other people,the J-200 has been played on a lot of records by Pete Townshend,David Gilmour,and Emmylou Harris. I wouldn't touch the Dearmond pickup or the initial emblem.Or anything else,for that matter.I'd find out who the best guitar tech in town was,take it to him and ask him to check out the frets,the neck adjustment,and the interior of the guitar,just to make sure everything is cool.It looks like it's been well cared-for.Congrats.
