1985 Gibson Johnny Smith 25th Anniversary

20/12/12 1985 Gibson Johnny Smith 25th Anniv ersary
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1985 Gibson Johnny Smith 25th Anniversary
Status: Pricing and hold status
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SN: 82395576, Master Model

label, signed Jim Hutchins,
10/2/85
Body size at lower bout:17"

Scale length: 25" Nut width:
1 11/16"
Materials: Handcarved
bookmatched solid spruce top;
solid maple back, sides and
neck; solid ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard and peghead inlay; 7-ply body binding,
5-ply peghead and fingerboard binding, 3 ply back binding, bound f-holes, bone nut.
Hardware: All original gold hardware includes individually adjustable finger tailpiece; solid ebony bridge with
pearl inlaid base; Kluson Sealfast tuners; floating Johnny Smith humbucking pickups with individual volume
and tone controls, selector switch, and 1/8" mini-jack mounted to pickguard; original truss rod cover. Original
quintuple-bound tortoise pickguard included, vintage correct bound tortoise guard installed.
Notes: Introduced in 1961, the Gibson Johnny Smith combined classic body styling with unprecedented
www.archtop.com/ac_85jsmith_dbl.html 1/7
technical innovation. The JS debuted the world's first floating humbucking pickup, and resurrected the classic
X-braced top, a design used by Gibson in the 1930's. The model also introduced a 25" scale, to facilitate
stretch voicings without sacrificing response. Finally, the body was slimmed by 1/8th of an inch to an even 3"
depth, to make it just that much easier to hold. The result is an instrument unique in playability, tonal response,
and aesthetics. The visual design of the Johnny Smith is drawn from a number of top-of-the-line models as
well. The 17" Venetian cutaway body and deco tailpiece are those of the L-5C, the neck and peghead are
from the Super 400, and the opulent 7-ply body binding recalls the classic Epiphone Emperor.
This rare guitar is one of a small batch made to commemorate the 25th Anniverary of the model. Blonde
examples were fewer and more costly than sunbursts, and offered the builders the opportunity to showcase
the most extravagantly figured wood the factory had to offer. Compounding the rarity is the twin pickup
configuration, which comprised only a small fraction of total production.
This unusually handsome example is carved of exceptionally figured tiger flame maple throughout, with a solid
carved bookmatched quartersawn soundboard of lovely fine grained spruce. Meticulously maintained, the
instrument has been preserved in unusually pristine 100% original condition; without pick, thumb or
fingerboard wear, and equipped with all its original gold hardware and electronics. (Apart from a bit of tarnish
on the pickup covers, the instrument appears to have been virtually unplayed.) The neck profile is fast and
easygoing, tapering to a smooth flat contour at the back of the neck, with the original medium-jumbo frets,
and has no volute bump at the peghead. an additional factory correct bound leopard shell tortoise pickguard
is installed, along with the original guard, which is included in the case along with the original factory
paperwork.
The tone is rich, warm and responsive with the sustain and depth of a vintage X-braced body, and the guitar
is fitted with its original Gibson deluxe plush hardshell case. A matchless piece of jazz guitar history, inspired
by one of it's greatest masters.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief
adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut
as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved
as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and
hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or
heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with
moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your
requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original Gibson deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
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20/12/12 1985 Gibson Johnny Smith 25th Anniv ersary

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

SN: 82395576, Master Model

Body size at lower bout:17"

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