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Luthiers Choice AJ


Bozz

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Does anyone have specs for a 2003 Luthier's Choice AJ? Gibson could only come up with minimal information. Any thoughts on what Brazilian Rosewood does for its value? I am looking at one via long distance. The seller is asking about double what a standard AJ would go for.

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Does anyone have specs for a 2003 Luthier's Choice AJ? Gibson could only come up with minimal information. Any thoughts on what Brazilian Rosewood does for its value? I am looking at one via long distance. The seller is asking about double what a standard AJ would go for.

 

 

Most of those I've seen have been Madagascar, not Brazilian. Double the stock used AJ price would not be uncommon even for the Madagascar versions. If it's Brazilian, it is sometimes named as such on the inside label. I would want independent confirmation that it's Brazilian before paying any type of premium, however.

 

It may also have the Luthier's Choice neck profile, which has a slightly wider and flatter sectional shape (same board radius, however), and wider pin spacing at the bridge. That's the neck I have on my Fuller's 1943 SJ, so you sometimes see it on custom orders that are not necessarily Luthier's Choice models.

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Most of those I've seen have been Madagascar, not Brazilian. Double the stock used AJ price would not be uncommon even for the Madagascar versions. If it's Brazilian, it is sometimes named as such on the inside label. I would want independent confirmation that it's Brazilian before paying any type of premium, however.

 

It may also have the Luthier's Choice neck profile, which has a slightly wider and flatter sectional shape (same board radius, however), and wider pin spacing at the bridge. That's the neck I have on my Fuller's 1943 SJ, so you sometimes see it on custom orders that are not necessarily Luthier's Choice models.

Thanks, Nick. It's good to know that Madagascar RW is a possibility. The seller says BRW, but Gibson would only say "Rosewood". Gibson also confirmed what you said about the neck width (1.77"). I like 1 3/4" necks, so this one would probably work for me just fine.

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If it's Brazilian, it is sometimes named as such on the inside label.

The label just says "Luthier's Choice AJ". Whatever it is, it's flat sawn with an interesting and distinctive grain.

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I don't know about current prices, but when I've looked in the past, they were asking $3500-$4000 for a used Madagascar one. It that time, you could buy a used (but very good to near-perfect condition) EIR version for around $1800-$2500 (asking price).

 

Not that many LC models come on the market, so value is whatever the market can bear at that point in time.

 

I would not take the statement that it's Brazilian as fact without independent verification from Gibson.

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I have a Braz/Adi AJ and mine also came with a COA. I bought it new from a company called Music Machine as part of what they called their Stinger series. It had its own unique serial number and part of the serial was "BAJ" for Brazilian AJ of course. See if you can get the serial number.

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I have a Braz/Adi AJ and mine also came with a COA. I bought it new from a company called Music Machine as part of what they called their Stinger series. It had its own unique serial number and part of the serial was "BAJ" for Brazilian AJ of course. See if you can get the serial number.

 

Are you talking about the serial number on the headstock and on the label inside the sound hole? This one has a typical Gibson 8 digit number in those locations. No "BAJ".

 

Or, are you talking about a different number with "BAJ" appearing on the COA?

 

I don't know if this guitar has a COA.

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Based on the link, I'd say it is Brazilian RW. From my foggy recollection of these from 15 years ago, the wood tended to have that wavy sort of grain. I'd see if you can get an approval period to check it out as I'm sure it's a big number and the market is slow. I'd also suggest looking at as many Brazilian AJ's pics as possible to get a sense of comparables. I'm surprised Gibson Montana could not give you the specifics though?

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If it has the standard Gibson serial number that answers my question. I was just curious if it might be one of the Stinger series. They are very rare, I think only eight, but Gibson did build others in Braz before they stopped using it. The wood does look a lot like mine but I would not go off that alone. If you do have the serial number I wonder if someone at Gibson could add detail?

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You can't really tell from the photo, but it could be Brazilian. What you can say is that whatever wood it is, it appears to be stumpwood or crotchwood. Some people like that for its figured grain. I personally prefer straighter grain, preferably quarter-sawn.

 

I had an old (probably 1870's) Martin New Yorker, basically an 0-21 with highly-figured Brazilian back and sides. The guy that restored it for me had to put in about 20 splices to repair open cracks in the convoluted grain. That sort of put me off fancy grain patterns for life.

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Madagascar is a Nice wood.. is sure draws out the bark on a AJ.. I had a friend that owned a store back in the 90s.. that Had his own stash of Brazilian.. we got quite a few AJs made through the Custom Shop.. a couple sj200s, and a J2000.. as for values.. its all over the place.. if your Buying a brazilain back guitar.. for top dollar.. the Quartersawn better be nice..

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I'd appreciate any knowledgeable opinions or thoughts on whether this looks like Brazilian, or not.

 

I can't remember which Imgur link to copy, so I'll post a couple.

 

<a href="https://imgur.com/o5HDBt6"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/o5HDBt6.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

https://imgur.com/o5HDBt6

 

 

Some of those were Ironwood.. Hogeye might know ...

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