---------------------1968 Gibson J200 black custom/factory bridge or replacement?????

[zombywoof]

Well, I am obviously on puppy chow when it comes to this particular J200. ad do apologize. I was just going on memory of a 1968 a friend of mine owns. . While the tune-o-mtic bridges did start disappearing in 1968 the shape and inlays of the bridge on the OPs guitar differ from the new fanged version Gibson started using that year.

[Osage]

Originally Posted by chimney chop

for comparison the finish looks the same on this example. the backstripe looks the same to me as well tho the heel definitely does look different.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Gibson...sAAOSwfQ1dnJ9O

It could just be my screen but those two finishes look pretty different to me. Also, the heel of yours should have burst red finish on it from the factory if it's original.

Whatever the case may be, how does it sound?

[zombywoof]

Another thing to keep in mind is that you could order say a J45 with features from other models such as bound ebony board with J200 style inlays or a Bydland-like flower pot inlay on the headstock. But, as far as I know, pickguards, bridges and such were whatever Gibson was using on their current production guitars. It worked the same in the repair shop when old guitars came in for work.

[chimney chop]

what do you all think about the backstripe being off center?

seems like Gibson wouldn't do that.

means that right half plank is larger than the left half

[Stomp]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

The inlays on the board and bridge remain really big question marks as well.

The inlays are very similar to those on the rare Guild F612...



As far as I know those were all built by the late Guild luthier Carlo Greco in the late 60s/early 70s.


Here's a body built by him with an 18" lower bout (1" wider than a J200) onto which someone has grafted a J200 neck & bridge.



Perhaps this is the other half of that J200...?

[chimney chop]

interesting.

so at best this guitar is a hodgepodge of parts.

i really don't think Gibson would've left the back/backstripe off-center.

i'll contact the seller with this info and see what they say.

[Stomp]

Originally Posted by chimney chop

interesting.

so at best this guitar is a hodgepodge of parts.

i really don't think Gibson would've left the back/backstripe off-center.

i'll contact the seller with this info and see what they say.

By coincidence, the Carlo Greco J200 I posted above with also has a mis-aligned back strip...:



"If you look closely you will notice it is asymmetrical. The center strip on the back of the body is off center. Carlo was getting cataracts and arthritis so some of the trim work is sloppy too. It has a massive 18" bout just like the legendary custom jumbo Guilds he built for John Denver. This is supposedly the last body Carlo built and it sat in his shop for some time. The guy I bought it from was begging Carlo to sell the body to him so he could have it finished and Carlo finally agreed. He had a Gibson J-200 neck put on it and a J-200 pickguard and bridge. The neck has a maple shim under the fretboard it that you can notice if you look closely. The frets are like new and the setup and intonation are absolutely perfect. It plays like a dream."

https://reverb.com/item/95659-carlo-...n-2005-natural

Curiouser & curiouser

[chimney chop]

hmmm, interesting. i wonder if there's some connection to Carlo with my J200.

update: i contacted the seller and asked for either a significant partial refund (as it's a very nice playing/sounding guitar) or a full refund and the seller opted for the partial refund.

[chimney chop]

i found this 1969 example with the same hard "D" shape neck heel as mine.....


https://reverb.com/item/25198801-gib...0-natural-1969