David Cohoe Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Great guitar. I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Nothing I see suggest this is a fake. Gibson has built a number of models especially for the Japanese market, and this appears to be one of them. Although it is listed as a 1963 re-issue, that is more likely to be a marketing title rather than a description of the features of the guitar. Under the hood, it is probably similar to any number of standard production J-45 models. An inspection of the underside of the top with a mirror will tell you if it has scalloped top bracing, which is standard for modern and pre-1955 J-45's, but would not be the case with a "real" 1963 J-45. It probably has a Sitka spruce top. The serial number says that it was entered into the Gibson production ledger on the 260th day of the year 2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Looks real to me... Looks very nice actually, no rotomatics either. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 If it was more accurately a '63 reproduction it would have an adjustable bridge, probably plastic and a thicker, more red toned pickguard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbpicker Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I bought a new one in '63 and it was Cherry sunburst. Did they make a tobacco sunburst then? Probably so, just wondering. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I bought a new one in '63 and it was Cherry sunburst. Did they make a tobacco sunburst then? Probably so, just wondering. RB I've seen a couple of sunburst, but I think most were cherryburst by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I would love to mee the guy who decides on what year guitar to "resissue." I have a mental picture of a big bingo machine filled with ping pong balls with dates on them being spun round and round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I would love to mee the guy who decides on what year guitar to "resissue." I have a mental picture of a big bingo machine filled with ping pong balls with dates on them being spun round and round. Sounds right to me. Then they have other machines with every design, construction, logo, and cosmetic feature Gibson has ever used for every model, and they pull those out at random. Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Cohoe Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thanks gents! You've helped an awful lot on this matter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Good luck! I was watching your ebay listing! I was curious to see what it would go for. Not in the market for a J-45 currently. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I can't seem to remember much about 63, but that is a very nice looking J-45! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I can't seem to remember much about 63, but that is a very nice looking J-45! I remember '63 OK. It's '68 and '69 that I struggle with...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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