Gibson Johnny Smith Archtop Electric Sunburst, 1964 [USED]

This Gibson Johnny Smith archtop electric guitar dates to 1964 and is in largely original and good working condition.   The orange label includes the term 'Union Made', which first started to appear in 1964 and was used until about 1969. 

This guitar was professionally refretted long ago, and while it plays reasonably well the frets are quite low and flat. 

The electronics, tuners and tailpiece look original, though the tailpiece is missing the 'Johnny Smith' insert.  While the hardware has a gold finish, this has been removed from the top of the pickup.  The tuners are Kluson 'Sealfast' models with metal keystone-shaped buttons.  The tailpiece is original with a section of its plating worn.  The bridge is a traditional ebony adjustable model with Mother of Pearl inserts to the ends.  

The sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish is in overall good condition with light to moderate expected play wear.  

The original hard shell case is included, and would benefit from a handle replacement. 

The Gibson Johnny Smith archtop electric was introduced in 1961 and built under that name until 1989, and is now available as a custom order under the name ‘Le Grande’. 

Construction and Materials

At 17 inches across, the Gibson Johnny Smith is one of the biggest-bodied guitars Gibson has offered, along with the L5 and Super 400, and sports a rounded ‘Venetian’ cutaway. The top is carved from Sitka Spruce with an X-bracing system, and is relatively thick to reduce feedback when amplified. The arched back is bookmatched flamed Maple. The sides and neck are also Maple, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge.   The body blocks and linings are Mahogany. 

The neck is three-piece Maple with narrow Walnut separators.  The neck and headstock are both bound and the Ebony fingerboard has Mother of Pearl block position markers. 

Unusually for Gibson, this model has a 25 inch (635mm) scale length. Gibson normally uses either 24.6, 24.75 inch or 25.5 inch scale lengths, and the 25 inch scale is standard for PRS guitars.

From its introduction, the Johnny Smith was intended as an acoustic/electric, and it carries a mini-humbucking pickup mounted on the bass side of the neck and on the pickguard. The volume control and output jack are also mounted on the pickguard.

Johnny Smith was one of the premiere guitarists in the late 1940’s into the early 1960’s and from the early 1950’s was one of the first to introduce the ‘Chord Melody’ style of playing.

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model: Johnny Smith
• Instrument Manufacturer:  Gibson
• Instrument year:  1964
• Instrument Finish:  Sunburst Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Instrument Class:  Archtop Electric Acoustic Gitar
• Instrument serial number:  67321, Union Made during 1964 at Kalamazoo Michigan
• Country of Origin:  USA
• Instrument Condition:  Good
• Playing Condition: Good
• Right-handed 
• CITIES Documentation Required: No
• Instrument Weight Imperial: 6.512 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric: 2.96 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:  25 in
• Scale Length Metric: 635 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:  1.736 in
• Nut Width Metric:  44.1 mm
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  Yes
• Case Type: Hard Shell Archtop Original
• Items in Case: N/A
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 190645

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here