#1
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Vintage '68/69 Gibson J-50...1-9/16" nut, Really?
Question for you Gibson folks. I recently played a 68/69 Gibson J-50 in really good original condition in a shop. I might have been interested but the nut seemed REALLY narrow to me. I'm okay with anything 1-11/16" to 1-3/4", but this one was kinda unplayable for me. I thought I was just imagining it but when I got home and did some research I found a reference that stated a 1-9/16" nut in the era's J-45/50's. Is this for real? I've been playing for almost 50 years, but don't think I ever came across a nut/neck like that. Thanks.....
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#2
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Yes, it's real. Gibson went with the narrow 1 5/8 (or 1 10/16) neck width around late '64. The whole line had this narrow neck for a while.
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#3
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...yep I bought a 65 J-50 about twenty years ago that was a peach in every regard except that skinny 1-5/8” nut....for what I paid for it back then I should have kept it and replaced the neck....
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...Grasshopper...high is high...low is low....but the middle...lies in between...Master Po |
#4
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Thanks for confirming. I know those adjustable bridges are sometimes called tone killers but this one had a nice dry & vibrant aged hog tone. It's a one owner guitar who bought it in '68/'69 to learn on and then gave up, put it in the closet, where it apparently "lurked" for decades.
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#5
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My 65 Texan is 1 5/8. After a short time I adjust. The adjustable bridge has it's own tone. It is not inherently bad. What was far more likely is that they made so many dogs, people assumed it was the bridge. I've played a few bridge conversions. A dog is a dog is a dog.
I fell for my Texan, for it's tone, in five minutes. Less probably. Gillian Welch seems to like her J 50 just fine. I've played a lot of 60s and 70s Gibsons. They flat out made a lot of bad guitars, but a lot of good ones too. The trick is finding one. Never, ever buy one unplayed.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#6
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Rob 1937 Gibson L-50 2006 Gibson Advanced Jumbo 2018 Gerundino Hijo Negra 2019 Gerundino Hijo Blanca 2019 Eastman T49D/V-AMB 2021 MJT VTJ 2021 McPherson Sable 2022 Antonio Raya Ferrer Negra 2022 Eastman Romeo LA 2023 Rivolta Combinata XVII 2023 Peerless Gigmaster SC |
#7
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I played a lot of the Gibson and Epiphone electrics during that time period, and those necks are some of my favorites - I'd have a good one in a minute...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#8
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I played a 69 J-200 at a GC some 20 years ago. It had one of those narrow necks.
If I'd had $2000 back then I'd have bought it. |
#9
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My first good guitar was a 68 Southern Jumbo. At first I loved the skinny neck and likened it to an electric guitar. I enjoyed it until I didnt and traded it away. I would never get one again.
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#10
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Alas, this is the reason I almost never play the 64 Hummingbird that belonged to my dad. It sounds really good but man, sooooo cramped near the nut.
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Tybor Some guitars |