Serial number 521719 1965-1966 era

Gibson J-160E

1964–1965 Gibson J-160E – Vintage – Original Case – Professionally Serviced – Excellent Player

This is a fantastic-playing and great-sounding vintage Gibson J-160E from approximately 1964–1965. It has 60+ years of genuine character, a great neck, and considerably more tonal versatility than a stock J-160E while retaining its classic Beatles-era sound. Neck width is .87 (first fret) to .94 (12th)

I purchased the guitar around 2017 from an instructor at a music school in New York. My New York pal Vinny—a real New Yorker—picked it up for me and shipped it back to me in South Dakota. His comment after carrying the case through New York was that he “felt like Bob Dylan on the subway with it.” That story has always seemed to fit this guitar.

The guitar was later extensively serviced by Gary Cleland now in Las Vegas. Importantly, there have been no neck, headstock, or heel breaks or repairs and the neck is straight, and the frets are in decent condition. It is an easy to play guitar

Cosmetically, this is a genuine 60+ year-old Gibson and it looks the part. The top has aged beautifully, and there is extensive vintage finish checking/crazing throughout the guitar. In my opinion, it looks fantastic. This isn’t an artificially aged guitar—the years did the work.

There were age/dryness splits on the back that were professionally repaired by the luthier, and they are stable with no issues.

Electronics

The original pots and 1/4” output jack were replaced with high-quality components during the service work. The original pots and jack are included in the case.

An additional KnK “Pure Mini” internal pickup was also professionally installed. It is activated by a push/pull switch incorporated into the tone control, so there were no additional external holes or permanent modifications made to the guitar for the installation. So you could have the Julie high-end of the stock pick up and bounce it out with a deeper more traditional acoustic pick up coming if and when you want to. Kluson correct tuners were added

This makes the guitar much more versatile than a standard J-160E. You can get the classic J-160E/Beatles-type electric-acoustic tones, or activate the additional pickup and take the guitar into a much broader range of useful acoustic and amplified sounds.

Original Case

The guitar comes with its original vintage Gibson case, which is very cool and an important part of the package.

As anyone familiar with vintage cases knows, a 60-year-old case doesn’t provide the same protection as a modern flight-style case. If the guitar is shipped, I will take considerable care to properly support and protect the guitar inside the case and then pack the case securely for shipment.

This is not a museum-piece J-160E that has spent its life untouched under a bed. It is a real, 60+ year-old Gibson that has been played, professionally maintained, and made ready to continue being played. It has the checking, aging and character you would expect from a guitar of this vintage, and it is an exceptionally cool instrument. Look closely at the guitar. Make sure it’s personality matches yours

Please look carefully at the photos and feel free to contact me with any questions. I’m happy to discuss the guitar, its condition, repairs, electronics, or history with a serious buyer.

Shipping insurance for the full purchase value will be required and paid by the buyer.

Thank you,
Rick