Vintage 1973 Gibson Johnny Smith Archtop

This Gibson Johnny Smith is in SPECTACULAR condition. No cracks, breaks, repairs of any kind, no finish checking at all, virtually no discernible playing wear. The previous owner made a prudent decision to have the mini plug output jack under the pickguard upgraded to the modern 1/4" output jack professionally installed in the guitar's tailblock, which is the industry standard today and allows the player to use any standard guitar cord without the need for special adapters, and averts the risk of damaging the pick guard or the instrument in the event that the cord would be inadvertently stepped on. The custom Gibson"BJB" Bruce Bolen-designed JS Humbucker was also added when they became available, which is a much warmer, darker pickup which requires much less equalization to get a classic jazz tone through an amplifier. Acoustically, this instrument is an absolute exception. Most people familiar with these guitars are aware that some of them are less than remarkably resonant acoustically, but this one is truly exceptional. In fact, Pete Wagener, the proprietor of LaVonne Music, who has been buying, selling, trading and collecting Gibson archtops for almost 50 years, says that he actually thinks that THIS IS THE BEST SOUNDING JOHNNY SMITH OF ANY VINTAGE THAT HE HAS EVER HEARD. Certainly high praise from one who should know, but suffice it to say that you will not be disappointed in the acoustic tone of this guitar. Comes in its original hard shell case.