Billy C.

You are welcome, Clint!

Clint, Interestingly, I have been able to discover that your guitar apparently is of a run of thirty-six J-180 'Special' guitars - which were constructed by Gibson Montana - intended for domestic sales here in the USA - and this likely does explain the lack of an 'International Limited Edition' rear headstock nameplate. Your guitar is therefore from a run which is indigenous to a differently issued series built that year. It seems Gibson also built runs limited to thirty-six instruments - during different months that year which included some or their other popular traditional acoustic models - which did include for example, J-200 'monthly specials'. Thought you'd appreciate being made aware of that - in the event you were otherwise, not.

Hello, Clint! I've examined your photos - thank you for providing them! Is it possible, the backside of your guitar's headstock area had undergone some minor repair or refinishing in the past? The series of thirty-six '93 International Edition, J-180 guitars built during October of that year ought to possess a rectangular brass plate - which attaches with a tiny brass screw at each end and locates between the tuning gear cases. If not - I am uncertain of exactly what run of J-180s built that year which you own - because your guitar does appear to exhibit several interesting and un-typical production attributes. (???) - Did you receive any Gibson factory documentation when you originally acquired your guitar - which might clarify?

Hello, Clint! Please accept my apology for not responding earlier to your message over the past several weeks - as I have been unavailable to do so! In your February 22nd reply to this post - which is originally from 2016 - you mentioned that your '1993 J-180 International Collector's Edition' is number 13 in the series of '36' - can you confirm that the engraved metal plate, located on the reverse of your guitar's headstock, indicates your guitar was built during the month of October in 1993??? As I mentioned, the instrument I own is # 36 of 36. You may have noticed that many of the guitars constructed in this series from Gibson Montana - feature a number of variations applicable to their individual appointments. I would enjoy learning more about your guitar - and am pleased to learn you do regard it so highly!

Per requests, I will attempt to post photos of both my Steinegger Ike Everly Custom guitar and J-180 Collector's Series guitar, later this evening! They will be posted under a new topic heading which will read..."PHOTOS: Compare RARE 'Steinegger Ike Everly' With 'Gibson J-180 Collector' Guitar". This will allow those interested to see both guitars together, so they can be seen and compared. Perhaps you've never seen an (ultra-rare) 'Steinegger Everly' guitar in detail...here's your chance!!! (Glad to oblige your requests.) Billy C.

Several years ago, on a recommendation...I decided to 'experiment' just a tad, replacing the plastic bridge saddle on my 1993 J-180 Collectors Series with a quality aftermarket bone saddle. Some time later, on my 2011 J-160E John Lennon 'Peace' model...I decided to replace the original adjustable 'corian' bridge saddle with a nearly pristine, vintage J-160E ceramic saddle...(which you might guess took some concerted searching and effort to acquire.) Both guitars have since also had their factory plastic bridge pins replaced with quality brass pins. The J-180 carries 'Everly' brass roundwounds (maximum 'ring'). The J-160E is strung with Pyramid flatwounds (maximum 'early Beatles' tone). The result was a slight but discernable increase in sustain and clarity in the 'voice' of both instruments. For some reason, this appears considerably more noticeable when the guitars are RECORDED and the recordings evaluated. Another slight 'benefit'...not initially apparent...is that the brass bridge pins do not 'deform' over time via repeated string changes, creating subsequent 'issues' as plastic pins at times, will. And perhaps, to some eyes...the brass pins yield a bit more 'lux' to the guitar's overall appearance.

Just a footnote to the above discourse, prior to retiring for the night. My J-180 actually does not resemble the guitar posted a short while back on this site, as presented via the above photo link. That one is a striking example, to be sure...especially the lovely and unusual headstock facing. Once I post my photos you will note, my '93 is entirely different. My guitar sports the typical J-180 black finish...but it differs by carrying an unusual 'MOP' headstock facing with 'Gibson' logo and the single star in gold...black truss rod cover with 'Everly' engraved...gold metal keystone tuners...ebony fingerboard with the usual MOP star inlays...thin, black laminated double pick guards (white bordered)...ebony bridge with a single 'Don' and 'Phil' bridge wing star, inlaid at either end...a unique sound hole label and of course the brass 'International Series' I.D. plate, mounted on rear of the headstock. Strap buttons are ivory with gold screws. That about describes the guitar, short of posting a photo set. BTW...many thanks for attaching that link and for your collective interest. This was my first day here and it's been a rewarding one.

Thanks for your interest and input here, guys! This is my first day here and being up there a little in years I must confess to being VERY low-tech in my use of digital technology and related gadgets. Pursuant to that remark...I'm chagrined to confess ZERO expertise with knowing how to download (or is it upload?) photos. However, assistance may be forthcoming...I'm privileged to know a fine pro guitarist who actually is technically astute. He has kindly consented to both take and post photos of both the 'J-180 International' and the 'Steinegger Ike' guitars, on my behalf. In the process, who knows...I might learn a little something about the 'details' of posting photos, as well?! Per a comment made above, regarding the 'Steinegger'. Please understand that I dearly LOVE my Gibsons...(and that applies to all three of the ones I currently own.) That having been stated, kindly accept the humblest accolade to which I can attest: In every conceivable attribute, Robert Steinegger's 'Ike Everly' model acoustic guitar stands alone in it's class as being the golden 'cap' on the pyramid. Those are merely the best words I can conjure by way of description. As per your interest and request...be assured, I will be posting photos of both guitars on the site, as soon as can be arranged! Billy C.

Yes, you are correct. The guitar carries a rectangular brass plaque on the rear of the headstock that runs between the tuning machines and this is secured with a tiny brass screw on either end. The plaque is engraved as follows: 'International Collector's Series October 1993'. The Gibson 'sound hole' label inside the body cavity reads: 'J-180 1993 International Edition #36 of 36'. This J-180 collectors model is a really striking guitar, visually. Many of these 36 guitars in this run present individual uniqueness in detailing, in hardware appointments and in the coloration of the double pickguards. Over the years I've seen some of the others in photos. The one I've obtained is the final one built and it is obvious Gibson spared little investing this example with some maximum visual impact, though entirely tasteful...the gold and white on black 'motif' can only be described as 'elegant' when you see and handle the guitar. I think it is right up there among the prettiest J-180s Gibson Montana created. ...It's also a very fitting companion for my Steinegger 'Ike Everly' Custom acoustic which by coincidence, likewise happens to be the final 'Ike Everly' guitar completed by Robert Steinegger, in that series.

Hello! Well, I've just joined and this will be my very first post. I own a J-180 International Series acoustic built in October 1993. My guitar is #36 of 36 built. Anyone else own one of these or a limited edition J-180 Everly from a later series? Currently, I've been able to discover that these '93 Internationals might have been the very first limited edition run of J-180s built, since Gibson re-introduced the J-180 back about 1986-87. ...Can anyone elaborate on these limited-run Montana-built J-180 guitars???