Up for sale is an all original near mint closet classic 1656 Gibson J160e.

Includes original alligator chipboard case in mint condition.

Introduced in 1954 and intended as a companion to the then-new Les Paul solidbody, the Gibson J160E was one of the first mass production electrified steel string guitars. This model was discontinued in 1979, and is occasionally re-issued. One of the greatest contributors to the success of this model was a 1962 model’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, in the hands of one John Lennon. That was The Beatles first US performance, and made all their gear quite popular.

Looking very much like the successful J-45, the Gibson J160E uses the same body shapes, but the construction is quite different. The very first models had solid Spruce tops, but this was quickly dropped in favour of feedback-resistant laminates. The top and back are both laminate, while the sides are solid Mahogany. The top is also ladder braced. The neck is Mahogany, with a Rosewood for the bridge and bound fingerboard – and in this period that means Brazilian Rosewood. And of course, to qualify for the ‘E’ designation, a P-90 pickup is mounted under the fingerboard tag.