[Regarding cosmetics of the tops of J-45's vs J-50's]

I posted that link over there - it lead to someone actually commenting: "I knew it! Thought it sounded like a hog j45, but you can hear the clarity of the non-sunburst. "

 

Hopefully tongue in cheek!

 

 

 

[So what IS the deal with the Gibson Starburst]

Ok, so near the end of the book, "Gibson's Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars" they get all kinda gushy about the Starburst model. They even have a picture of Jorma (p.189) pickin'one and grinnin' and it looks to be all psychedelic-ed up. What is the deal with them? You never see one on ebay it seems. Were they just so great that everyone that owns one hangs on to theirs? Or were they just such a flop that they've gone quietly into the night? Where's a sound sample, etc. Them that know please enlighten?

 

 

 

I've had 3 of them, my first purchase being inspired by seeing Jorma's Amber Starburst sitting on a stand onstage at FPR.

 

He's had 3 AFAIK - he now has just the blue one left.

 

They get no love on the forums, being described as thin or tone dead, etc. Maple back sides & tops.

I think the idea was that they were acoustic-electrics & worked well onstage with little feedback.

They were designed, IIRC, by Ren Ferguson & were available from 92 - 93 or so.

 

I always liked the glassy crystalline tone of the Starburst - and I loved the bling factor.

I discussed the guitar with Jorma about a year ago & we both agreed that they had a particular tone that was underappreciated.

 

They do come up in spurts on ebay & CL, etc. Just keep a search running.

 

Jorma used it extensively on his early teaching DVDs and it can be heard on some of the mid-90s Relix albums - specifically "Embryonic Journey", "Too Many Years" and "Land of Heroes".

 

Probably others as well.

 

My last one was a Custom made in 1994, the year after the Starburst was discontinued. It's such a cool guitar, I've kept the page up on my site, even though I no longer own a Starburst:

 

http://music.jeffers...urstCustom.html

 

Frank

[Advanced Jumbo (Short Scale) Owners? Anyone?]

John seems to be GM at Music Factory Direct now. Too bad they're not a Gibson dealer!

 

-- Bob R

 

I found an email from John Boles dated Dec 2007, with a quote for one of the short scale mahogany AJs: $1850 shipped!

[Advanced Jumbo (Short Scale) Owners? Anyone?]

Just checked serial #s. I have 00876037 as posted above. Very cool! Again, I bought it used so I have no idea where it has been since it was posted on Guitarsale originally.

 

Thanks for the link.

 

You're welcome! I almost bought a short scale mahogany AJ from them - actually got a quote.

By using the wayback machine, you can find their entire inventory from previous years... I just picked this one out as a sample - serendipitously it was yours!

[Advanced Jumbo (Short Scale) Owners? Anyone?]

There used to be a company named "Guitarsale" - thay commisssioned special runs and one of their core offerings were short scale AJs in many wood configurations - rosewood, mahogany, maple,koa..

I believe they were bought by Musicians Friend a few years ago.

 

eg: GuitarSale SS RW AJ