j45nick

That headstock side flare seems excessive for a '67 roundshoulder J-50. Got a picture of the whole guitar, from the front?

I'm just guessing here, but all the tuner buttons are lined up horizontally. Maybe it's to put a bit of tension on the posts to keep the buttons in that orientation, so the headstock sits flat on the headstock rest. Really curious about what they are doing. I hope it is something as simple as a bridge re-glue. I would be really reluctant to go to a fixed bridge/saddle on a vintage 'bird in what appears to be remarkable condition, even though I am not normally a fan of the ADJ. It does seem right on a 'bird of this vintage, in this condition.

That's and ADJ bridge that has been removed. The guitar looks to be in stunning condition.

Pretty amazing really, both the instrument and the playing. Changing strings must be a challenge, much less keeping it in tune. And I thought keeping my classical guitar in tune was a challenge.....

Nope. Assuming you bought it used, there is no way to know if that was something someone did at the factory, or later. Welcome aboard, and congratulations on your new J-45.

Couldn't find that exact instrument, but there have been an amazing variety of interpretations of the mandocello over the years, and that's almost certainly what this instrument is.

That was my guess, since it has 8 strings. I'll look for a recording.

Tom, what the heck is that odd instrument on the left of the poster? There must be quite a story behind that one.

That is the same logo configuration that was on my 1947 L-7. Mine had a white oval label with A-prefix serial number (visible inside the bass-side F-hole). That label came in during April of 1947, the best I can tell. Guitars prior to that probably would have a factory number (FON) ink-stamped on the inside back, which should be visible through one of the F-holes if you look closely with a small flashlight. If there is no factory order number, look for evidence of a lost label, such as an oval glue pattern on the inside back. The inside of the guitar is probably clear-coated rather than bare wood. The original tuners, if you don't have them, would be individual closed-back single-ring Klusons with plastic keystone buttons. Those are still readily available in modern repro versions. One interesting detail is that there appears to be a screw hole for a finger rest (pickguard) bracket on the bass rim, near the waist. That is typically seen on the opposite rim on a right-handed guitar. It is possible the guitar was set up as a lefty at some point in its life. In any case, as Jim says, this appears to be an L-7 from no later than 1947. By 1948, this would have had the modern block logo instead of the script logo. If you an find an FON inside, we can pin it down more closely. If you need a case for it, any case fitting a J-200 or other 17" Gibson flat-top should fit, since these archtops have the same body shape as the J-200. The L-7 is probably slightly thinner, but because of the carved top and carved back, it takes up the same room in the case as a thicker-bodied flat top.

Jack Johnson's guitar looks like a nice mid-50s J-45. Looks like some cool ukeleles hanging on the wall behind him. Great song, too.

That pickguard is...... ugly. Looks like a five-year-old created it. (no offense to five-year-olds intended.) The guitar itself is interesting, but not my cup o' tea. Hmmm, long-scale, square-dread, rosewood? Where have I heard those specs before?

That riddle stands in stark contrast to the questions you usually pose, in a matter of speaking.

You'll get used to it. One of the few guitars I own today that I saw or played before buying was my original beat-up 1950 J-45, which I bought for $50 off the wall of a music store in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1966. It didn't sound or play so great--loose braces buzzing, fretboard like a mile of bad road--but it was a J-45, and I was smitten. We do a lot of things in life without knowing what the outcome will be. It's part of the adventure.

The Smeck? If so, you can talk to me when and if you get tired of it.

You're in trouble now.