Gibson J50 Deluxe Serial Number

Is your Gibson's history a mystery? Find the manufacture date by cross-referencing the serial number with other features.

The Gibson J-50 Deluxe is essentially the same as the J-45 Deluxe except the natural finish replaces the J-45’s sunburst finish. Like the J-45, it has a jumbo body with a solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck. As of 1971, most had a non-adjustable rosewood bridge, a 14/20-fret rosewood finger board with pearl dot inlay, a large tortoise pick guard, and tortoise body binding. And of course they all have the huge sound for which vintage Jumbo Gibsons have been famous for decades. This guitar’s serial number is A114402 (clearly visible in picture #12 of the back of the headstock), which with the “Made in USA” also on the headstock and the orange and white label probably dates it as 1973—forty-one years of making music.

(It also has a “2” indicating that it was a factory second 43 years ago, but whatever the reason was then, I’m sure that it’s irrelevant now.) It is a remarkable guitar, in that it shows relatively little play wear, dings, cracks, and scratches considering its 40 years or so 'in service.” The result is that it looks good despite some visible crazing (“to let the sound out,” as my luthier says) and a single repaired crack in the top lower bout. The only real cosmetic issue is the inevitable 1970s Gibson binding deterioration: as you can see, some of it has been expertly replaced, and an attempt has been made to stabilize the rest with some kind of solvent, which works for now but probably won’t work forever. However, the remarkably dramatic figuring of the presumably mahogany back more than compensates for the kind of homely binding.

It currently is in excellent playing condition; the repaired crack is stable, the top is flat, the frets show relatively little wear, and the action is fast and comfortable at a bit under 4/32” at the 12th fret low E. Since all the work has been done, it will probably not need any repairs at any time in the near future; it plays well, and its powerful Gibson sound will get even better as it is 'played in' by its next owner. This is a player’s guitar, and I sincerely hope that its next owner is someone who will continue to play it hard, well, and often. Get Fake Irish Driving Licence.

It will reward such a player with solid performance, and this guitar deserves no less. The original deluxe arched-top hard shell case is similarly in excellent shape for its age, with fully functional latches and hinges. The beautiful royal blue plush interior is obviously clean, and of course it fits the guitar perfectly. It affords great protection for this vintage instrument, which is what you want for a valuable guitar which everyone will want to play.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped. I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before bidding. Payment Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet. Soundtrack Fast Furious 7 Rar more. Shipping From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA.

Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings. Returns I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.