Gibson J-200 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1962), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, reddish brown sunburst lacquer finish, maple body and neck, spruce top, Brazilian rosewood bridge and fingerboard, brown original hard shell case.
This is a fine-sounding J-200 from the early 1960s, comparable to a 1950s model and a good value, although not 100% original. Sunburst maple body with some burl figure on the back; spruce top with moustache bridge that once held a tune-o-matic insert. Bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearl crest inlays and original jumbo frets; peghead is single bound with a crown inlay.
Wide-bevel truss rod cover reads "CUSTOM". Maple neck is the 5-piece laminate introduced around the time this instrument was made. Original 50s-style brown HSC with pink lining.
Overall length is 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 5/16 in. (643 mm.).
Overall very nice condition. The adjustable tune-o-matic bridge has been removed and replaced with a rosewood insert and bone saddle set in the original moustache bridge. The workmanship is excellent and unobtrusive; while not original, this dramatically improves the tone of the guitar. We can find no evidence of the "Tone Killer" bar that was fitted to the J-200 around this time; it appears this guitar never had one.
The tuners are period-correct pat.pend. gold-plated Grover Rotomatics, but the instrument appears to have borne two other different sets, leaving unfilled screw holes on the back of the headstock. There is a repaired top crack on the treble side, running from just below the pickguard to the end of the guitar. There are some capo marks and dings to the back of the neck; otherwise the finish is in extremely good condition, with some broad checking in the top and small dings.
Playability is excellent. This is a great "gigging" J-200. Original brown HSC very good; the top has been painted over with a slightly lighter shade of brown. Excellent Condition.
