During the folk boom of the 1960's, guitar manufacturers were doing all they could to keep up with the public demand for acoustic guitars. One of the most loved acoustic guitars of the era was Gibson's J-45, which was introduced in 1942. In 1955, Gibson took the sunburst J-45, gave it a natural finish and called it a J-50. In 1963, Gibson redesigned the pickguard in grand 60's style thick celluloid which is the style we see here.
photos c2007, courtesy of Gryphon Stringed Instruments.
I have a very similar J-50, 310XXX, indicating, according to the Gruhn's Guide, either a '65 or '67. Mine has the rosewood insert saddle as opposed to the white ceramic which seems more common. I'm curious what circumstances determined the decision to use one or the other? Special order? They seem to be present intermittently throughout the 50s and 60s on these and similar models.
ReplyDeleteHi Ross-
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've found, Gibson went to the rosewood saddle sometime in 1967.