Good places to buy vintage Gibson acoustics

[JohnnyT123]

Hi all,

I'm new here, first post. I'm looking for a 1964-1967 southern jumbo. Aside from the reverb/craigslist usuals, where have you all had luck finding a great vintage Gibson that was not a nerve-racking, wallet-draining experience? Also, if you have one of the guitars in question, post pics and share stories!

Thanks!

[ksdaddy]

My father bought a new one in 1963. He owned it until around 1969 when he got an early 50s J-200. I bought mine from Elderly in late 1984, over the phone, sight unseen. i had to borrow the money from the bank. It had Grovers on it, then later I put newer Schaller Kluson style tuners on it, maybe a couple sets, now I have a set of early 60s Klusons on it, which aren't necessarily correct; most old SJ's had small buttons but I was told that some came with keystones, so here we are. I made the truss rod cover from brass and had my initials engraved in it. After almsot 40 years, i may put a stock one on it, because the brass looks a bit much to me now. It didn't come with a case, and over the years I used any case I had that would fit. It currently rests in a newer Gibson (branded) case, likely Canadian. Someone carved "21737 Chris Clark" in the back of the neck long before I got it. I filled it with super glue and buffed it smooth. Never know it was there now. It had a Barcus Berry transducer attached to the bridge plate. Long gone now. Maybe it was a Texas Transducer. No matter. I don't plug in. The adjustable bridge was changed long before I got it. Someone put a replacement bridge with saddle on it. The intonation was horrible; very flat. I shifted the slot forward and made a new bone saddle for it. I believe the bridge was lifting by that time so I removed and reglued it. I think that was around 1990. I string it with mediums. I think it has Elixirs on it at the moment, and like any of my Elixir'd guitars, they will be on there 4 or 5 years.

 

[JohnnyT123]

53 minutes ago, ksdaddy said:

My father bought a new one in 1963. He owned it until around 1969 when he got an early 50s J-200. I bought mine from Elderly in late 1984, over the phone, sight unseen. i had to borrow the money from the bank. It had Grovers on it, then later I put newer Schaller Kluson style tuners on it, maybe a couple sets, now I have a set of early 60s Klusons on it, which aren't necessarily correct; most old SJ's had small buttons but I was told that some came with keystones, so here we are. I made the truss rod cover from brass and had my initials engraved in it. After almsot 40 years, i may put a stock one on it, because the brass looks a bit much to me now. It didn't come with a case, and over the years I used any case I had that would fit. It currently rests in a newer Gibson (branded) case, likely Canadian. Someone carved "21737 Chris Clark" in the back of the neck long before I got it. I filled it with super glue and buffed it smooth. Never know it was there now. It had a Barcus Berry transducer attached to the bridge plate. Long gone now. Maybe it was a Texas Transducer. No matter. I don't plug in. The adjustable bridge was changed long before I got it. Someone put a replacement bridge with saddle on it. The intonation was horrible; very flat. I shifted the slot forward and made a new bone saddle for it. I believe the bridge was lifting by that time so I removed and reglued it. I think that was around 1990. I string it with mediums. I think it has Elixirs on it at the moment, and like any of my Elixir'd guitars, they will be on there 4 or 5 years.

 

Holy moly, what a beautiful guitar!! What year is she? Thanks so much for sharing photos, enjoy it in good health! Can't wait to get my hands on one.

Edited January 11, 2022 by JohnnyT123

[ksdaddy]

This one is a 1964.