1973 Gibson J50 Deluxe All original

Interested in this guitar? It’s for SALE! Call (515) 864-6136

A really cool, great shape, 1973 Gibson J50 Deluxe with the original Gibson Soft Shell Case!

The Serial number indicates a 1973-1975 model. Given this one is a Kalamazoo, from the label and we were told it was bought in 1973, we are calling it a 1973.

When we got it, it had a crack from the top of the bridge thru the sound hole, up to the neck. These were caused by the pickguards shrinking and the wood being the softer material, would crack. A common malady in these guitars. We completely removed the pickguard, it was still in great shape, and rebraced the area, reglued and cleaned it up. A very expensive repair, but it won’t happen again. The new brace will keep that from happening ever again. See pics 4, 5 & 6.

Beyond the crack, the guitar is in great original shape. The top is now free of cracks, it has the original Chrome Keystone tuners, nut, frets, that are in great shape, pickguard and bridge. The bridge saddle has plenty of room yet to help lower the action should you ever need it. We love the action on this guitar. It does not need a neck reset now or in the forseen future. This guitar plays great.

The sound of these early to mid Gibson J50 guitars are not like your 1960’s models. Heres some really good info we found on the internet regarding these Gibson guitars…

Unlike the traditional, slope-shoulder J-45s and J-50s, the 1973 J-50 is the "renovated" version of the 1970s. That means that the tone is almost entirely changed and so folks looking for "that J-45 sound" will be sorely disappointed when they pick up one of these latter-era Kalamazoo boxes. This thing is much more like a Martin D-18 or Guild D-35: it has square shoulders and a long, 25 3/8" scale length vs. the 24 3/4" length Gibsons are known for. Combine that scale change with a bracing change to a stiffer, double-X-braced pattern, and there you have it -- a sound that's much more "bluegrass punch and shuffle" than it is chunky, folksy, woody chord-master.

Having several 1960’s Gibson J50’s and J45’s, I can attest that the sound is very different. Excellent but different. Much more punchy that the standard Gibson J50 sound. I like it!

The guitar is in great shape. Only superficial dings and such. No maladies to report other than than the forementioned crack repair. A beautiful 1973 Gibson.

The shown Original Gibson Soft Shell Case is as nice as the guitar. The red plush interior is still very nice. The latches, hinges and original handle are here as well as the accessory box. A really nice case for your beautiful Gibson Guitar.

Sold as is no returns as its vintage and used. However, I have been hand picking my customers instruments for over 20 years now and they all loved the guitars I found for them. This beautiful Gibson will certainly not be an exception.

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