NGD - 2011 Gibson Custom Shop J-45

[steveb2223]

Came upon this recently traded J-45 while checking out the new Hill Country Guitars location. I really liked the sound, the playability and even the build quality which was comparable to any of the many Collings examples they stock. The price was affordable and I'm always a sucker for the unusual ones so I brought it home.

Basically a J-45 TV (adi top), but with Zebrawood back/sides vs. the standard hog. It has the standard (non-vintage) headstock but with vintage-style Grover butter bean tuners. A K&K Pure Mini was installed and it looks like Bob Colosi supplied the ivory nut and saddle and the fossilized walrus ivory bridge pins.

I'm very, very happy with it, and it complements my Lowden very well.

A couple of quick snapshots; please forgive the poor quality:







-- Steve

[brencat]

Nice find!

Hill Country Guitars is certainly one shop I hope I find myself in someday. All those tasty Collings to sample in one location... I might never leave!

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats Steve! Do you have any picks of the zebrawood?

STEVE!! Gorgeous instrument, congratulations!

[The Growler]

Congrats! That's sweet!

[CoolerKing]

Back shots please!

[SJ VanSandt]

Can't wait to see this, Steve - great find. I've seen some zebrawood trim but never heard a guitar with back and sides of the stuff. Congratulations!

[Shy Boy William]

Beautifull, you did well!!! Enjoy the honeymoon.

[Jim Owen]

Well done, Steve. Play happy.

[steveb2223]

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

Back shots please!

I'm having trouble controlling reflections and picking up the grain in the very glossy and dark finish of the back/sides. I'll see if I can do better tomorrow. I think they were going for the look of old straight-grain braz rosewood, and IMHO were pretty successful. The dark reddish-brown finish really goes well with the vintage sunburst top.

-- Steve

[steveb2223]

Originally Posted by Shy Boy William

Beautifull, you did well!!! Enjoy the honeymoon.

Thanks to all for the kind wishes. I've been married to the same wonderful woman for nearly 42 years, so I've got a pretty good record for turning honeymoons into long-term relationships!

-- Steve

[duluthdan]

That looks like one outstanding guitar! Never have heard Zebrawood before? Does it more closely resemble the Mahogany bite, or the round Rosewood warmth?

[steveb2223]

Originally Posted by duluthdan

Does it more closely resemble the Mahogany bite, or the round Rosewood warmth?

I'd say about 80/20 mahogany/rosewood. Seems to be particularly well-suited for vocal accompaniment, which is what I was looking for.

I think she's a good 'un.

-- Steve

[steveb2223]

Some additional photos:

This is a better representation of the soft faded brown sunburst color:


Under normal light the back/sides are very dark and the zebrawood grain is very subtle:


This flash photo reveals the straight grain of the zebrawood:


-- Steve