rockinrebel Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 I'm pondering buying a 1966 Gibson J-50. It has the adjustable bridge, which is of concern. In general how is the bracing, sound, etc, on mid 60's J-50's? Any thoughts or concerns, yea or nay are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 I think the '66 would have the same bracing Gibson started using in 1955. The bracing did not start to get heavier until around 1968 or 1969. Assuming you like the way the guitar sounds, I am a guessng the main thing will come down to whether or not you like the thin neck profile. I don't like them but I am sure there are folks that do. Just a matter of taste. Regarding the adjustable bridge - I never found them to be the tone killer they are reputed to be. Most folks, though, do remove them. If you do have it changed make sure you keep the original. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 As zombywoof mentioned, the narrow necks used back in those days is the first thing that comes to mind for me. If you get along okay with that narrow nut and it sounds good to you, then I wouldn't be too concerned about any of the other stuff (provided it's in decent shape). I was visiting our local Gibson dealer a while back and to my ears one of the best sounding Gibsons they had in stock at the time (regardless of price) was a '68 reissue J-45, complete with an adjustable bridge. It sounded far better than it "should have". As always, it comes down to the individual guitar. All the best, Guth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 It sounded far better than it "should have". As always' date=' it comes down to the individual guitar.[/quote'] Ain't that the truth...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinrebel Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 I appreciate the comments. I had a 2006 J-45 that I sold about 6 months ago and I'm really starting to miss having a short scale, slope shouldered Gibson in the house. I have a 1997 Santa Cruz Vintage Artist that is awesome and fills the niche for the Martin D-18 sound, but there is just something to a slope D Gibson. Any other thoughts are surely welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 As zombywoof mentioned' date=' the narrow necks used back in those days is the first thing that comes to mind for me. If you get along okay with that narrow nut and it sounds good to you, then I wouldn't be too concerned about any of the other stuff (provided it's in decent shape). I was visiting our local Gibson dealer a while back and to my ears one of the best sounding Gibsons they had in stock at the time (regardless of price) was a '68 reissue J-45, complete with an adjustable bridge. It sounded far better than it "should have". As always, it comes down to the individual guitar. All the best, Guth[/quote'] I'll bet you a dollar though that the reissue had the same scallop bracing you find in J-45 TV and not the heavier non-scallop type Gibson started using in 1968. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I'll bet you a dollar though that the reissue had the same scallop bracing you find in J-45 TV and not the heavier non-scallop type Gibson started using in 1968. I certainly wouldn't doubt that. The point that I was trying to make was that the guitar sounded really good despite the "dreaded adjustable bridge". Might it have sounded better without the adj. bridge? Maybe, maybe not, but the fact was it sounded plenty good with it in place and I'm sure a number of the older ones do too. Sometimes there is no explaining what makes a good sounding guitar sound so good. People can go on and on about tonewoods, bracing types, bracing sizes, bridge types, glue types, etc., etc.. But there are plenty of great sounding guitars out there that from a construction standpoint don't come close to meeting the standard of what should sound good "in theory", yet despite that, they do in fact sound good. Sometimes very good. That's part of the beauty of it all to me. All the best, Guth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I certainly wouldn't doubt that. The point that I was trying to make was that the guitar sounded really good despite the "dreaded adjustable bridge". I am in total agreement with you. I do not think the ADJ bridges deserve the bad rap they have gotten. I reckon they have just been condemned for so long it has become "fact." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinrebel Posted June 25, 2010 Author Share Posted June 25, 2010 OK, everybody. I am going to be back in the Gibson family soon. I'm doing a trade for the 1966 Gibson J-50. Really excited. The top has lots of finish checking which just adds to the cool vintage mojo to me. I can already here Dylan and Beatles tunes flowing out of that 44 year old beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisA83 Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Congrats, lookng forward to pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Congratulations, I'm glad to hear that the guitar worked out for you. Enjoy! Guth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I have a 66 J-50, purchased new. It has been admired by a number of musicians, including Frank Hannon, (Tesla) who called it his favorite guitar. A Celtic Rock band passed it around, amazed how effortless it was to play A local singer said it was like ‘playing butter.’ I have no idea what it’s worth, but it won’t disappoint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 On 6/25/2010 at 11:12 AM, rockinrebel said: I can already here Dylan and Beatles tunes flowing out of that 44 year old beauty. Actually 54 years old, but who's counting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.