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1955 Gibson J-160E Vintage Acoustic Electric Guitar Solid Top/Back w/ P-90 & Case

$7,499.99

+ shipping

Up for sale, a 1955 Gibson J-160E in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. This J-160E hails from the model's second year of production and has all of the J-160E's introductory features, with a 19 fret neck and a solid spruce top and mahogany back (by mid-1955 this model had transitioned to a laminate top and back).

Visually an electrified version of the enduringly popular J-45 slope shoulder dreadnought, the J-160E is tonally and structurally unique in that it was the first Gibson model to offer an adjustable bridge (with two large thumbwheels on the Brazilian rosewood base to adjust saddle height). This J-160E is 100% original save for a professional refret, carved bone saddle, and StewMac Plate Mate to ensure viability of the original bridge plate.

Forever associated with the Beatles due to both John and George’s extensive use of their J-160Es on stage and in the studio, this guitar has a warm bark and crisp, percussive treble response via the ladder braced construction that can only be described as “Beatle-esque.” Strung with nickel 12-53 strings to enhance the pickup's response, at the heart of the J-160E is the P-90 which yields a midrange-rich single coil sound with glassy treble cut. This J-160E has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Honduran mahogany
-Shape: “Baseball bat” C, measuring .910” 1st fret, .975” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, flared trapezoid pearloid inlays, 19 fret
-Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, nylon
-Tuners: Kluson no-line
-Serialization: W-prefix Factory Order Number stamp on neck block translates to ‘55

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, Honduran mahogany
-Bracing: Ladder
-Pickup: P-90
-Controls: Volume, Tone
-Bridge: Brazilian rosewood, knurled bridge thumbscrews, bone saddle (replacement)
-Plastics: Gold bonnet knobs, tortoise pickguard
-Marquetry: Multi-ply binding

The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is 100% original, with one professionally-repaired split adjacent to the Tone knob on top. The finish exhibits prominent lacquer checking, with pick scuffing across the strum path, limited buckle rash on the back central to the lower bout, and a number of dings and scuffs consistent with use on the body as a whole.

A modern Gibson hardshell case is included.