frenchie1281734003 Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Did the J-200 carry on with laminated Maple B&S from 55 all through the 60s/70s and 80s, until the Bozeman era starting in 89? Or did they change back to solid wood before hand? My copy of "Gibson`s fabulous flattop guitar`s" doesn`t even mention the 55 change. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I'm betting others can provide a more solid answer but my understanding about laminated backs, sides, or both is that they were used occasionally but inconsistently. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Every J-200 I have ever seen made from 1955 into the early 1960s had laminate maple back and sides. My wife's 1960 J-200 certainly does. Never really played around with enough J-200s built after that to answer the question. If I had to guess though I would say until 1984 when Gibson went through a "back to basics" thing and came out with anniversary model J-200. Possibly the most significant thing about the laminate body J-200s that showed up in 1955 is the top bracing with Gibson going with a second wide angle X brace above the soundhole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Should mention in the 1950s and into at least the early 1960s Gibson made their own laminate. Apparently the materials and labor cost them more than using solid wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I don't believe that '55 is a set-in-stone date by any means. I think it's "much more likely" that a later '50s and certainly an early to mid and later '60s Gibson will have laminated sides and/or back, but I don't think it is an all-inclusive thing. I have seen late '50s Gibsons with solid sides and/or back. Many (or most) of the 60s maple Gibson acoustics do sport laminated b&s though. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 What are the common ways to identify a guitar with laminate back & sides? Pull the endpin? Edit: 'Suppose the fun "check for similar grain pattern inside and out" thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Well, if you're lucky, you learn something new every day. I didn't know until reading this that SJ-200's had laminate back and sides...ever! I would think that for what they go for that they would've always been solid wood. They must be the most expensive laminate guitars one can buy. Who'd a thunk? I don't mean to hijack this thread, but what was the reasoning behind going laminate in the years mentioned? I can understand some of the war era things but this is well afterward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thanks for the replies guy`s. One thing is for sure, once Bozeman started production the J-200 was definitely all solid again. Zombywoof may have a point with Gibson trying to go back to basics in 84. I will see if I can find a late 80`s pre-Bozeman to check out. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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