Upgraded, Limited True Vintage Hummingbird, J-45, and SJ-200 Now Available

[Guest Gibson Lifestyle]

Upgraded, Limited True Vintage Hummingbird, J-45, and SJ-200 Now Available

 

08.22.2008

 

 

Gibson Acoustic’s guitar workshop in Bozeman, Montana, is known for crafting some of the finest instruments ever produced in the 120-plus-year history of this storied company, and for fans of great vintage-spec flat-tops the True Vintage series is the cream of the crop. Now Gibson is releasing an extremely limited edition of just 167 pieces each of three selected True Vintage models, the J-45, SJ-200, and Hummingbird, all of which will receive deluxe upgrades worth as much as $1,500.

 

A Gibson True Vintage acoustic is already the closest thing to hopping into a time capsule and traveling back to the era when your favorite classic flat-top was born, but add these limited deluxe treatments to the brew and each model offers a rare opportunity for both players and collectors. Each Limited Edition True Vintage SJ-200 and J-45 will be built with a top made from solid Red Spruce, a rare and highly prized tone wood, and will be constructed with hot hide glue, just like back in the day. Their sibling the Hummingbird will wear a solid premium Sitka Spruce top with special Cherry Burst finish that matches the finish on the first run of Hummingbirds back in 1960. All will come with a custom-made, period-correct case (recreated from meticulous study of the original cases), and a Certificate of Authenticity. Each will also be labeled inside the body with its individual number within this limited run of 167. Additionally, upon filing his or her warranty registration card, each customer will be sent a specially designed jacket embroidered with the model name of the guitar they have purchased and an embroidered custom-run case cover.

 

Article on gibson.com >>

[guitarstrummer]

They sound nice, but I imagine this will only add fuel to the fire of those who are already confused about various specs for the same model of guitar. It would be nice if Gibson offered a spread sheet of the different models and specs so we could keep track of all of them.

 

Thank you for posting this for us, though. It's nice to have the information.

[jannusguy]

that J45 sure sounds like a tasty one!

[Guest]

What in the heckkizza "SJ-20"?

 

Fre

[jannusguy]

What in the heckkizza "SJ-20"?

 

Fre

 

i think it's one more than an SJ 19.

 

ro

[TWilson]

What in the heckkizza "SJ-20"?

 

Fre

 

That's funn Fre!

[guitarstrummer]

It's a typo. Their main site says it's an SJ200.

[TWilson]

It's a typo. Their main site says it's an SJ200.

 

Darn it' date=' Mike, you ruined the whole thin! lol[/color']

[skipm]

Why, oh why does Gibson do this to me???? This is almost more temptation then I can stand. I have been dreaming about a 'Bird and now this. This is almost more than I can bear. I'm ready to call and order; no mention of pricing though. I'm thinking $3500+ range. Hmmmm...better hide the credit cards and vehicle titles!

[Rambler]

"A Gibson True Vintage acoustic is already the closest thing to hopping into a time capsule and traveling back to the era when your favorite classic flat-top was born." A bit over the top, yes?

[anthonyc007]

They sound nice' date=' but I imagine this will only add fuel to the fire of those who are already confused about various specs for the same model of guitar. It would be nice if Gibson offered a spread sheet of the different models and specs so we could keep track of all of them.

[/quote']

 

Gotta +1 this sentiment.

 

Ugghhh...

[NevadaPic]

...It would be nice if Gibson offered a spread sheet of the different models and specs so we could keep track of all of them...

 

Me too. How about a definitive guide to the dimensions, tonewoods, etc., etc... of the Gibson lineup?

[ballcorner]

I already have an AJ. Gibson can't make a better guitar than that, but nice try Bozeman -- nice try!

[Johnt]

 

i think it's one more than an SJ 19.

 

ro

 

 

Rob

 

My compliments!

 

That just has to be the "Quote of the week"

 

Hilarious and as dry as a fine Pouilly-Fuissé

 

BTW just to stray to another thread , what strings do you use on your SJ19?

 

Thanks for that Rob, excellent laugh!

 

BR

 

John

[ksdaddy]

I think it's wonderful what Bozeman has done for the good of the Gibson acoustics in the past 20 years or so. Without the efforts of a lot of good people, the Gibson name might be slapped onto a line of Chinese guitars imported by Fender.

 

But right now I have the same feeling towards Gibson as I did about the Japanese motorcycle industry in the 1980s. They are constantly trying to improve models for the sole purpose of making you think your two year old model is no good and therefore you HAVE to have the newest, latest, and greatest, or else you're a slug using everyone else's oxygen.

 

Sorry, Henry, I've got a daughter going off to college, I can't spend 10% of my annual income on a new Hummingbird every year.

[jannusguy]

 

 

Rob

 

My compliments!

 

That just has to be the "Quote of the week"

 

Hilarious and as dry as a fine Pouilly-Fuissé

 

BTW just to stray to another thread ' date=' what strings do you use on your SJ19?

 

Thanks for that Rob, excellent laugh!

 

BR

 

John[/quote']

 

thx jt. i'm currently using mono- filament (fishing line) as i'm starting to save up for the ltd. edition tv j-45. i had been using twine but on some of my faster single note runs, it tended to catch fire.

 

ro

[Rambler]

"They are constantly trying to improve models for the sole purpose of making you think your two year old model is no good"

 

Generally true of the industry. Classic case: Martin's leap from the vintage series to "golden era/marquis" to authentics (dispensing with that modern marvel, the truss rod). What's next? Relics?

 

What's aggravates about the trend is the gap between the upscale market lines and std series. Used to just make a D18 or a J45.

Its the way of a world, and for all I know it keeps them, the builders, afloat. But its one more case of a playground for the well to

do and a pinch for everyone else.

[jannusguy]

"A Gibson True Vintage acoustic is already the closest thing to hopping into a time capsule and traveling back to the era when your favorite classic flat-top was born." A bit over the top' date=' yes?

[/quote']

 

with what these guitars will cost, gibson can afford the finest hyperbole. if only the prices traveled back in time as well. J45 = $45.00? i'm in!

[Mikey62]

I hope these guitars are not destined to hang on the walls in a Guitar Center.

[ksdaddy]

So where is the MK-53 reissue?

 

Oh yeah, they used up all that sycamore already.....

[jefleppard]

my bet is there is more to come. first came 'true' vintage. this is the 'truer' edition and next with be 'truest'. exactly like ksd said, it harkens to the 'new and improved' style marketing that has been commonplace for 30 years or so. it is also neccessary for a company to remain current and viable in a consumer market that is fueled by ADD.

however, this "limited" run seems to be aimed directly at the collector with a tonne of disposable income who sees the guitar as furniture and not the soothing instrument of joy that serious players do.

[Mikey62]

Marketing gimmicks aside, I think they sound (no pun intended) like great instruments. It will be nice to see where the price point is relative to the plain ol' True Vintage models.

 

Anyone know which dealers will have them?

[Guest]

My guess is that whatever dealers order 'em will have 'em. The announcement was published on the web, so that's a pretty broad market coverage.

 

It's my guess that "regular" dealers will have as much opportunity at these as the 5-Star Gibson dealers.

 

Fred

[fortyearspickn]

The sun is shining - it is cool and dry here in South Texas - so forgive me for lapsing from cynicism for a minute here. I think, if I were buying a guitar - I'd rather get it from a company that tries out new things. And looks at what was successful among the old things. You know - like a fiddle maker trying to recreate a Strad. Many of us here GAS about the old Gibsons. Well, they aren't making them anymore! So the next best thing is for the OEM to dig deeper and try to figure out if they might be able to go back to the future to attempt to please the purest of the purists. I prefer that business strategy to one where you 'manufacture' as many guitars as you can, each an engineering clone so you can focus on quantity and contribution margins per unit sold. If I had woken up this am with a winning lottery ticket, I'd be ordering one of these J45s right now. But since I didn't - I'm not running out to buy a Takemine! Sheesh.

[TWilson]

I hear what you're saying Fortyyears, I'd love to have my first car back. Light blue and white '57 Chevy Belaire convertible with white rag top and light blue and white rolled interior. Aint gonna happen with the wallet I have. It cost me $625 in 1966! I applaud Gibson for trying to recreate old favorites but the only way I could get the one I want is if they make it out of 60 year-old wood! Anyway, if I had the scratch to just go out and grab one I'd probably do it. Preferably TODAY!!!