[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

Great info … thanks 🙏 very much !

[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

Thanks so much !

If you don't mind, what would be the key 1966 differences ?

Also, from my modest research, I'm wondering if the pickguard on my guitar is original ?  Thoughts ???

Thanks again for your help !

[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

here's a pic of the full headstock back ... no volute, right ?

[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

Here's screenshot from page 3 of the doc I linked to in my last post ...

Screen Shot 2022-01-14 at 10.26.18 AM.pdf

[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

Thanks for the quick reply !

There is no "Made In USA" stamp on the back of the headstock - I've jacked up the light on the attached pic in order to check.

My first source for estimating '66 or '69 was this doc on page 3 ... maybe that's incorrect ?

 

[J-45: 1966? or 1969 ? or ????]

Good morning,

I am new to this forum, and I apologize if this particular topic has been exhaustively discussed, but I keep getting 'please wait xxx seconds to search again' prompts as I try to find the answer.

I have an old J-45 [ serial # 832887 ]  which I love.  I purchased it at International Vintage Guitars in New Orleans approximately 25 years ago.  It has always sounded great despite having been mistreated prior to my purchase.  Because of some of the damage to the finish on the back of the body, the owner of the shop suspected that the prior owner had left it in his car in the NOLa heat.

Thus far, my research has led me to believe that it was made in Kalamazoo in either 1966 or 1969 ?  But I've encountered a great deal of conflicting information in trying to pinpoint the year.  I've attached some pics, and would greatly appreciate any help solving this riddle.

Thanks in advance,

jep