angeloumusic 1 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 Looking for some information here. I have a 1962 J-50. I removed the adjustable bridge and replaced it with a set rosewood bridge/bridge plate and bone saddle (sounds way better to my ear). With these modifications, is it now functionally the same as a 1955-1960 J-50 or does the early sixties J-50 have different bracing than the 1955-1960 J-50s.? Thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibby46 1 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 I remember Jake Wildwood who repairs allot of Vintage guitars said the 61-65 J-50's have lighter bracing and slightly thinner tops. When I look at my 65 J-50 the back braces are definitely smaller. Brace size is even smaller than my 46 J-45. I just remember he mention that's a sweet spot for a J50 's. where you can get a bigger fuller tone because of the smaller braces and thinner top. I still have the adjustable saddle still in but it sounds amazing so I'm going to leave it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombywoof 250 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) While I do recall Jake giving the opinion that the bracing was lighter I do not recall any mention about the tops being thinner. Edited September 13, 2020 by zombywoof Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
75 Hummingbird 22 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 What size is the replaced bridge plate ? Thickness and dimension ? Not sure how the bracing will differ from 1955 to 62 .. but the bridge pad is certainly a point of interest . Is your replaced pad made of solid maple ? Eighth inch thick thick......1 and 7 sixteenths wide....is the preferred dimension . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibby46 1 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 This is from his web site in the " museum section" where is has all the guitars he has repaired. Around 1960, Gibson changed the bracing on their flattops to be a lot lighter and thinner and also decreased the top thickness. This gives these early-'60s guitars an enlarged, '30s-like bass presence and the classic, Gibson-toting folksinger/blues-player sound with its mids and bass oomph. They're great cowboy-chord, folk-centric guitars but the quick necks also make them rock-n-roll staples, too. By around 1966-67, the bracing was getting a little stiffer and the nut widths were shrinking, so the '61-'65 models are basically the sweet spot for those seeking the "classic Gibson J-45/J-50 tone." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibby46 1 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2018/11/1964-gibson-j-50-adj-slope-dreadnought.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombywoof 250 Report post Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) At the same time, however, I have heard that Gibson increased the thickness of the rim and back during the 1960s. Edited September 13, 2020 by zombywoof Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
