"Style: 1963 J-45"

[David Cohoe]

Hello forum,

 

I picked up a J-45 from a shop in Fukuoka, Japan (stationed in Iwakuni, Japan) The shop was comparable to an American Guitar Center. When I got it home, I noticed the serial information on the inside said the style of guitar was a 1963 J-45.

As far as I've researched, I can't find anything about Gibson coming out with a '63 reissue. I used some serial number tracker app online, which told me that the guitar was manufactured in 2000. I'm not really sure how accurate that tracker is. I'm sure it's been brought up a hundred billion times on this forum. If that's true, my assumption would be that this was a model distributed to Japan.

 

The warranty information is still in the case, and looks legit, but it's all in Japanese. If anyone cares to have a look, I can add pictures later.

 

But anyway, can anyone help me identify any more information on this guitar? I'm worried I could have stumbled onto a very expensive fake.

 

For some reason, I can't upload the pictures with my iPad, so I have attached the imgur direct links to the pictures.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Top view:

http://i.imgur.com/LThedpc.jpg

 

Serial Sticker:

http://i.imgur.com/XUwVkkn.jpg

 

Side view 1:

http://i.imgur.com/S2V1ZZn.jpg

 

Side View 2:

http://i.imgur.com/KqqoSx6.jpg

 

Front view:

http://i.imgur.com/IJXjqLx.jpg

[fauvent]

Hello forum,

 

I picked up a J-45 from a shop in Fukuoka, Japan (stationed in Iwakuni, Japan) The shop was comparable to an American Guitar Center. When I got it home, I noticed the serial information on the inside said the style of guitar was a 1963 J-45.

As far as I've researched, I can't find anything about Gibson coming out with a '63 reissue. I used some serial number tracker app online, which told me that the guitar was manufactured in 2000. I'm not really sure how accurate that tracker is. I'm sure it's been brought up a hundred billion times on this forum. If that's true, my assumption would be that this was a model distributed to Japan.

 

The warranty information is still in the case, and looks legit, but it's all in Japanese. If anyone cares to have a look, I can add pictures later.

 

But anyway, can anyone help me identify any more information on this guitar? I'm worried I could have stumbled onto a very expensive fake.

 

For some reason, I can't upload the pictures with my iPad, so I have attached the imgur direct links to the pictures.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Top view:

http://i.imgur.com/LThedpc.jpg

 

Serial Sticker:

http://i.imgur.com/XUwVkkn.jpg

 

Side view 1:

http://i.imgur.com/S2V1ZZn.jpg

 

Side View 2:

http://i.imgur.com/KqqoSx6.jpg

 

Front view:

http://i.imgur.com/IJXjqLx.jpg

 

Hello, David.

 

First off, I'm not expert in J-45 models, but I made a quick research about that style. Actually by searching it I found your comment. I saw a guy in ebay selling that same model, actually maybe you're that guy.

The fact is really really love that model you have. I have an standard J-45 with chromed tuners and I'm thinking seriously to customize as much as I can (with out affecting the guitar) to make it look like a vintage model. Unfortunately, I can't provide you any answer, but What I made a research as well, because I was thinking about selling mine and buying the same model you have, but I can not find it.

 

I will look forward for more information about this topic. Hope someone in the forum know something about this!

 

Regards!

[TM]

The guitar is not a fake. It is a Gibson built guitar. Gibson did many special runs for the Japanese market, guitars that were not available in the states. This may be one. Gibson had some problems getting things correct for reissues. A 1963 J45 should be cherry burst with an adjustable saddle. Again, it doesn't matter if you like the guitar. It is not a fake.

 

Enjoy.

 

Terry