frenchie1281734003

Just seen this post. My 94 J-100xtra is the same, with the patch and Eric A Luhrsen's signature. The Patch is where the electronics would have been situated, if they so wished to add, later in the production process. As for Mr Luhrsen an interesting guy, who lived in Bozeman, and has been shot a couple of times. I did a post about him a few years ago.

I wonder if Gibson will bring out a Blonde version, as a Kelly Jones (Stereophonics) signature model😁

Sorry I'm a bit late replying, been elsewhere. At this period in time Matsumoku used 7 number serials, no letters, the first digit was the year, the next two are the month and the last four were the production number. So as an example 4076213 would equate to July 84 production number 6213. Hope this helps

Congratulations on the J-15, they are fabulous guitars, a classic for the future. I use Dr Duck's Ax Wax on my Walnut fretboard and bridge, sparingly mind. And I use Dunlop 65 polish for the guitar, not had any problems. The only concern for potential owners of this model appears to be whether the Walnut fretboard will stand up to regular use, in comparison to Rosewood or Ebony. I've had mine almost four months now, and played it at length every day. There is barely a sign of wear, in fact I've seen Rosewood wear faster than this. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine, and welcome to the forum. Steve.

Until 92 the J100 had Maple back and sides, with a belly up bridge and teardrop pickguard. Steve Earle famously played one on Guitar Town. In 93 they switched to Mahogany B&S, added the moustache bridge and J200 style pickguard and re-branded the model as the J-100 Xtra (some labelled XT). In 95/6 some J100 Xtra's did indeed have Rosewood B&S, but most remained Mahogany until 99, when maple came back in again, followed by Bubinga in 2005/6.

I don't like the feel of coated strings, and my Gibson J-15 has D'addario EJ-16s (12 gauge) on it. I like the tone of those.

I think they are all great, there were even a few with Rosewood back and sides in 1995. I personally own a 94 with Mahogany, had it 10 years now, and love it. It has seen off two J-200s😁

Lovely looking J-200 Zombiewoof. Is she laminated back and sides, not that it matters?

Love it David👌

Good to be back Red. Don't know why I've been away so long.

Has anyone else noticed that the new USA Texan has the same bridge shape and placement as the original issue (2009) Inspired by 64 Texan? The rest of the guitar looks pre 63, what with the headstock shape and soundhole ring https://www.andertons.co.uk/epiphone-texan-usa-in-vintage-sunburst

I like the look of both this and the Excellente model. Can't wait to try them both out😁

Thanks bobouz, hadn't meant to be away for so long.

It's a J100xtra from 93. Prior the 93 there was a J100 with the plain maple/English Sycamore back and sides, belly up bridge and teardrop Pickguard. For 93 they redesigned the J100 to make it look closer to the J200, this they did by adding the moustache bridge, and large plain J200 pickguard. The back and sides changed to Mahogany, and the designation to J100xtra. The 93 into very early 94 guitars have the script Gibson logo and "only a Gibson is good enough" line. This changed in 94 to the normal Gibson logo, and angular pineapple in gold silkscreen. Most 94s got the big centennial label too. I have a 94 and a close friend has a 93, which has all the features the posters guitar has. Steve.

Didn't the 72-75 Gibson J-100 reissue's have Cedar tops? I have three acoustic guitars with Cedar soundboards, A Daion 78 Heritage, a Daion 82 Jumbo, and a recently acquired Stanford PSOM-10 cutaway. I like the all.

I've got two IB-64 Texans, the first is a 09 model made in China, and last weekend I picked up a very good condition 2015 Indonesian made one, which is very much like the original posters Texan. I will do a comparison between the two soon, as they are quite different in specs. What I will say though, is that the newer Indonesian version has that " Plucky magic twanger sound" that the originals have. Steve.

Nice Matsumoku Epiphone Emperor you have there. The first three digits of the serial number date your guitar to December 1981. Enjoy.

Nick Lowe plays J150/200 models, and on occasion a J45. Richard Ashcroft is another J200 player too. James Blunt has a thing for Gibson's that are from 1966. Steve.

I always end up coming back to D`addario PB-12`s EJ-16 on my J-100/200 guitars. Steve.

Gibson are currently using that same style of batwing bridge on the current 1941 Gibson J-100 reissue. http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Super-Jumbo/Gibson-Acoustic/1941-SJ-100.aspx Perhaps it might be worthwhile getting in touch with Gibson. Steve.

Is that a laminated bridge plate? i looks odd along the edge. Steve.

Don`t forget Martin Carthy showed Paul Simon how to play this arrangement, something he only got the credit for in recent years. Steve.

I`ve played a couple of J-35`s and found them to be great, and a bit on the zingy side. I have also played a few of the new IB-64 Texans, and to be honest I couldn`t hear any real difference acoustically, which was a surprise and the Texan seemed to play better for me. Perhaps I prefer the longer scale. Steve.

I used to own a sunburst 62 Levin LM-26 "Goliath" that was a lovely old thing, it had such character, but I swear it used to take 10 minutes to warm up every time I played it, before it would bloom. However, they were prone to getting high actions, although the bolt on necks made resets pretty straight forward. I was very fond of the Levin, but couldn`t get on with the flat fingerboard, and thin frets, so ended up swapping it for my truly wonderful 94 Gibson J-100 Xtra. I have no regrets. Steve. Steve.

+1, and a very good point made. Steve.