1955 J-160e specs

[Joe B]

My 1955 J-160e has a serial number that starts with a W. The curious thing is that it has only 19 frets and seems to be a spruce top. Doesn't seem to have the thick laminated top. Any info on this model?

 

Thanks

[rar]

My 1955 J-160e has a serial number that starts with a W. The curious thing is that it has only 19 frets and seems to be a spruce top. Doesn't seem to have the thick laminated top. Any info on this model?

 

19 frets and a solid top would be right for a '54, the introductory year. Looks like either they didn't make the change right at the beginning of the year, or this one was a little late for some reason, because the W pretty definitively makes it a '55. The change from a solid top (and back) to a laminated top (and back) -- to reduce feedback -- was made at Les Paul's request. For some reason, lost in the mists of history, he still wouldn't endorse the guitar after the change was made. Anyway, the solid top J-160Es are considered much more collectible than that laminate tops, partly because of their relative rarity and partly because they're better guitars. OTOH, most people interested in the J-160E are interested because of its use by the Beatles (and some other British Invasion acts), and so want the, ummmm, ... let us say "distinctive" tone the laminate models offer.

 

-- Bob R

[Joe B]

Thanks for the reply. The guitar does have a nice woody tone. I have some nickel strings on it. I bet it would really sound good with some bronze ones but the P-90 doesn't work well with those. I have seen another 55 J-160e that had 19 frets too, it belonged to my bud Doug Fieger.

 

 

 

19 frets and a solid top would be right for a '54, the introductory year. Looks like either they didn't make the change right at the beginning of the year, or this one was a little late for some reason, because the W pretty definitively makes it a '55. The change from a solid top (and back) to a laminated top (and back) -- to reduce feedback -- was made at Les Paul's request. For some reason, lost in the mists of history, he still wouldn't endorse the guitar after the change was made. Anyway, the solid top J-160Es are considered much more collectible than that laminate tops, partly because of their relative rarity and partly because they're better guitars. OTOH, most people interested in the J-160E are interested because of its use by the Beatles (and some other British Invasion acts), and so want the, ummmm, ... let us say "distinctive" tone the laminate models offer.

 

-- Bob R