Billy C. Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Hello! Well, I've just joined and this will be my very first post. I own a J-180 International Series acoustic built in October 1993. My guitar is #36 of 36 built. Anyone else own one of these or a limited edition J-180 Everly from a later series? Currently, I've been able to discover that these '93 Internationals might have been the very first limited edition run of J-180s built, since Gibson re-introduced the J-180 back about 1986-87. ...Can anyone elaborate on these limited-run Montana-built J-180 guitars??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 I think those were Montana specials.. yours have the brass plaque on the back?? I seem to remember owning some of the different models.. I believe one was a Nick Lucas as well as a Sj200 in Blonde.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Yes, you are correct. The guitar carries a rectangular brass plaque on the rear of the headstock that runs between the tuning machines and this is secured with a tiny brass screw on either end. The plaque is engraved as follows: 'International Collector's Series October 1993'. The Gibson 'sound hole' label inside the body cavity reads: 'J-180 1993 International Edition #36 of 36'. This J-180 collectors model is a really striking guitar, visually. Many of these 36 guitars in this run present individual uniqueness in detailing, in hardware appointments and in the coloration of the double pickguards. Over the years I've seen some of the others in photos. The one I've obtained is the final one built and it is obvious Gibson spared little investing this example with some maximum visual impact, though entirely tasteful...the gold and white on black 'motif' can only be described as 'elegant' when you see and handle the guitar. I think it is right up there among the prettiest J-180s Gibson Montana created. ...It's also a very fitting companion for my Steinegger 'Ike Everly' Custom acoustic which by coincidence, likewise happens to be the final 'Ike Everly' guitar completed by Robert Steinegger, in that series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmental Alpinist Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Check out this discussion. I think we might have been talking about your guitar in some of the later posts. Hogeye knows all about this period as his posts in the thread show. Maybe he'll chime in here to clarify. J-180/Everly post I think we may be talking about your guitar in posts 19 and 20 of that link. (edit: we're definitely talking about your guitar there.) Could you please post pictures of your guitar? We'd love to see them (both the Gibson and the Steinegger). And sound samples would be icing on the cake.... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Yes, you are correct. The guitar carries a rectangular brass plaque on the rear of the headstock that runs between the tuning machines and this is secured with a tiny brass screw on either end. The plaque is engraved as follows: 'International Collector's Series October 1993'. The Gibson 'sound hole' label inside the body cavity reads: 'J-180 1993 International Edition #36 of 36'. This J-180 collectors model is a really striking guitar, visually. Many of these 36 guitars in this run present individual uniqueness in detailing, in hardware appointments and in the coloration of the double pickguards. Over the years I've seen some of the others in photos. The one I have is the final one built and it seems Gibson spared little in giving it maximum visual impact...although the gold and white on black 'motif' is totally elegant when you see and handle the guitar. ...It's also a perfect companion for my Steinegger 'Ike Everly' Custom acoustic which coincidentally happens to also be the final 'Ike Everly' guitar which Robert Steinegger completed in that series. Hi.. there was a certain guitar built for each of the 12 months.. I think the Guards on your are a bit different than the standards models from 1989 to 91.. I think there was something else different.. I just forget.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Thanks for your interest and input here, guys! This is my first day here and being up there a little in years I must confess to being VERY low-tech in my use of digital technology and related gadgets. Pursuant to that remark...I'm chagrined to confess ZERO expertise with knowing how to download (or is it upload?) photos. However, assistance may be forthcoming...I'm privileged to know a fine pro guitarist who actually is technically astute. He has kindly consented to both take and post photos of both the 'J-180 International' and the 'Steinegger Ike' guitars, on my behalf. In the process, who knows...I might learn a little something about the 'details' of posting photos, as well?! Per a comment made above, regarding the 'Steinegger'. Please understand that I dearly LOVE my Gibsons...(and that applies to all three of the ones I currently own.) That having been stated, kindly accept the humblest accolade to which I can attest: In every conceivable attribute, Robert Steinegger's 'Ike Everly' model acoustic guitar stands alone in it's class as being the golden 'cap' on the pyramid. Those are merely the best words I can conjure by way of description. As per your interest and request...be assured, I will be posting photos of both guitars on the site, as soon as can be arranged! Billy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Just a footnote to the above discourse, prior to retiring for the night. My J-180 actually does not resemble the guitar posted a short while back on this site, as presented via the above photo link. That one is a striking example, to be sure...especially the lovely and unusual headstock facing. Once I post my photos you will note, my '93 is entirely different. My guitar sports the typical J-180 black finish...but it differs by carrying an unusual 'MOP' headstock facing with 'Gibson' logo and the single star in gold...black truss rod cover with 'Everly' engraved...gold metal keystone tuners...ebony fingerboard with the usual MOP star inlays...thin, black laminated double pick guards (white bordered)...ebony bridge with a single 'Don' and 'Phil' bridge wing star, inlaid at either end...a unique sound hole label and of course the brass 'International Series' I.D. plate, mounted on rear of the headstock. Strap buttons are ivory with gold screws. That about describes the guitar, short of posting a photo set. BTW...many thanks for attaching that link and for your collective interest. This was my first day here and it's been a rewarding one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Per requests, I will attempt to post photos of both my Steinegger Ike Everly Custom guitar and J-180 Collector's Series guitar, later this evening! They will be posted under a new topic heading which will read..."PHOTOS: Compare RARE 'Steinegger Ike Everly' With 'Gibson J-180 Collector' Guitar". This will allow those interested to see both guitars together, so they can be seen and compared. Perhaps you've never seen an (ultra-rare) 'Steinegger Everly' guitar in detail...here's your chance!!! (Glad to oblige your requests.) Billy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Billy, I just ran across this thread. I have number 13 of the 36 made in 1993 in Bozeman. It's my workhorse guitar and I love it. I've had it about 22 years and I bought it at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 12 minutes ago, Clint said: Billy, I just ran across this thread. I have number 13 of the 36 made in 1993 in Bozeman. It's my workhorse guitar and I love it. I've had it about 22 years and I bought it at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. That bridge is really cool. It looks like you don't need pins for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 Hello, Clint! Please accept my apology for not responding earlier to your message over the past several weeks - as I have been unavailable to do so! In your February 22nd reply to this post - which is originally from 2016 - you mentioned that your '1993 J-180 International Collector's Edition' is number 13 in the series of '36' - can you confirm that the engraved metal plate, located on the reverse of your guitar's headstock, indicates your guitar was built during the month of October in 1993??? As I mentioned, the instrument I own is # 36 of 36. You may have noticed that many of the guitars constructed in this series from Gibson Montana - feature a number of variations applicable to their individual appointments. I would enjoy learning more about your guitar - and am pleased to learn you do regard it so highly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Billy, no plate on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Hello, Clint! I've examined your photos - thank you for providing them! Is it possible, the backside of your guitar's headstock area had undergone some minor repair or refinishing in the past? The series of thirty-six '93 International Edition, J-180 guitars built during October of that year ought to possess a rectangular brass plate - which attaches with a tiny brass screw at each end and locates between the tuning gear cases. If not - I am uncertain of exactly what run of J-180s built that year which you own - because your guitar does appear to exhibit several interesting and un-typical production attributes. (???) - Did you receive any Gibson factory documentation when you originally acquired your guitar - which might clarify? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Clint, Interestingly, I have been able to discover that your guitar apparently is of a run of thirty-six J-180 'Special' guitars - which were constructed by Gibson Montana - intended for domestic sales here in the USA - and this likely does explain the lack of an 'International Limited Edition' rear headstock nameplate. Your guitar is therefore from a run which is indigenous to a differently issued series built that year. It seems Gibson also built runs limited to thirty-six instruments - during different months that year which included some or their other popular traditional acoustic models - which did include for example, J-200 'monthly specials'. Thought you'd appreciate being made aware of that - in the event you were otherwise, not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 I bought the guitar at Gruhn Guitars when they were in downtown Nashville around 1999. It came with the original case, which I beat to hell over the years and finally replaced about a year ago. The headstock muck is from years of capos and tuners being stuck on it. I doubt any refinishing has been done anywhere. Joe Glaser in Nashville is the only person who's worked on my guitars since 1987. Mine is a Special Edition, not an International Edition. I'm not a big guitar-head, so I don't know much about collectible or comparable details. I just use what works well, is made well, and looks and sounds good. This guitar has done thousands of shows for me, mostly outside in tropical climes. I do have a Martin, an Alvarez and a Guild as well. But the Gibson goes with me to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Billy, thanks for that extra info. I didn't see it before my last post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 You are welcome, Clint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatbear Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Hi, Im new to this group and I just bought a J-180 Limited and I would like to find out more information. Mine was made in 2017 and she's a beauty but I would like to know more. How many were made in that run? I can find information from this forum about the earlier models but not the later ones. Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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