Tomcruiseiscraz Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 So I've been offered a trade of (my) taylor for this gibson j-35. It's a 90th anniversary edition built in Nashville in the fall of '84 for the 85' calendar year. I've found posts over the net about the j-30, j-45, etc that yes, 90th anniversary run did exist and was rather limited, but less about the j-35. This also has a unique paint job, is square shouldered (from what I gather was basically a copy of the dove's they made at the time). I've also read about the humidity issues and quality issues at this time. I'm also not 100% sure this is all solid wood or not. What is a fair market value for this guitar? I'm quite interested in this trade, but really don't want to get into this gibson just for the name to find this isn't desired/won't hold it's value if I want to sell at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Hmmmm, , , have you investigated the bracing on this semi-oldie ? What would be good to know is whether it's single or double X-braced and how thick/thin/scalloped the top braces are. Small mirror and mini flash-lite required. Down they go. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Here' from Vintage Guitar Price Guide. Their numbers are usually high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcruiseiscraz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 12 minutes ago, E-minor7 said: Hmmmm, , , have you investigated the bracing on this semi-oldie ? What would be good to know is whether it's single or double X-braced and how thick/thin/scalloped the top braces are. Small mirror and mini flash-lite required. Down they go. . Is there a diagram or tip you can give me about single vs double x? and which one is more desire-able? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcruiseiscraz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 12 minutes ago, Dave F said: Here' from Vintage Guitar Price Guide. Their numbers are usually high Does that guide have one for j-35? It's so odd the j-35 isn't listed many places. If their numbers are high then this j-35 might be closer to $1k true value... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Just now, Tomcruiseiscraz said: Is there a diagram or tip you can give me about single vs double x? and which one is more desire-able? The key to diagram and acoustic patterns is Guukell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 3 minutes ago, E-minor7 said: The key to diagram and acoustic patterns is Guukell. Or the search-function on this Board of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 7 minutes ago, Tomcruiseiscraz said: Does that guide have one for j-35? It's so odd the j-35 isn't listed many places. If their numbers are high then this j-35 might be closer to $1k true value... Only 2012-2018 @ $1,125-$1,450 Reverb only lists the model back to 1994 with this selling history Transaction History New Used Date Condition Sold Price 1/15/2021 Excellent $1,550 12/30/2020 Very Good $1,548.16 12/23/2020 Excellent $1,540 12/23/2020 Very Good $1,275 12/22/2020 Excellent $1,500 12/22/2020 Excellent $1,599 12/13/2020 Excellent $1,169.29 12/12/2020 Excellent $1,650 11/28/2020 Excellent $1,400 11/25/2020 Excellent $1,275 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I'm 99% sure that would be an all-solid guitar. It's unlike anything I've seen before and could well have been a custom order. It's cool as all hell! I love maple Dreads, and used a '95 Dove for most of my last album. This J35 is right up my street...as far as used market value goes, I'd expect to see it sell in the UK for £16/1700. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 https://reverb.com/item/4746448-1985-gibson-j-35 https://reverb.com/item/22624938-gibson-j-35-1985-square-shoulder-acoustic-guitar-w-gibson-deluxe-hardshell-case-made-w-dove-parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) I would be curious to know about the bracing as well. The story, as much as I have been able to piece it together, was that in 1984 Plant Manager Jim Deurloo pretty much made the call to return the acoustics to older specs. Gone was the infamous Double X bracing" and with it the return of the slope shoulder J45 and such. These were the last guitars to be built in Kalamazoo with the old Daylight Factory turning out only acoustics and serving as a repair shop. Deurloo and most of Gibsons experienced builders though refused to make the move to Nashville. Apparently the Nashville Plant was also ill suited for building acoustics not having the proper environmental controls. Adding to Gibson's woes was Norlin was losing money hand over fist and in 1985 was subject to a hostile takeover by the bunch which also owned Piezo electronics and which immediately put the music division up for sale. So for me a 1985 Gibson is a total mystery. Were they built going with Deurloo's design or return to older Norlin specs. Edited January 30, 2021 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75 Hummingbird Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Keep your Taylor . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin alley Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 I have a j-35 same color says it’s a 1985 the only difference are the tuner knobs. It was my aunts she bought it new and handed down to me with her passing. Still have the case and all original. This is the only information I have found on this guitar. Would love to know more about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 I should have mentioned it in my earlier post but the Gibson you are looking at is a J35E. These were available in 1985 and 1986 and as you note was essentially a Dove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 From a circa 1984-5 catalog and a 1985 price list. The J35 is the black one. Note they didn't show black as an option in the price list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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