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Old 05-06-2021, 09:16 AM
gmel555 gmel555 is offline
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Default 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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Old 05-06-2021, 09:39 AM
Cameleye Cameleye is offline
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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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Old 05-06-2021, 09:52 AM
J Patrick J Patrick is offline
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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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Old 05-06-2021, 02:34 PM
gmel555 gmel555 is offline
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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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Old 05-06-2021, 03:11 PM
Br1ck Br1ck is offline
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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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Old 05-08-2021, 02:11 PM
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Rob W Rob W is offline
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nKGVDhQ60
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Old 05-08-2021, 05:39 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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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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Old 05-08-2021, 08:58 PM
EZYPIKINS EZYPIKINS is offline
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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.
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Old 05-09-2021, 07:20 AM
KalamazooGuy KalamazooGuy is offline
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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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Old 05-10-2021, 08:47 AM
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T Texas T Texas is offline
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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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