Gibson Johnny Smith Guitar ( 1961-1989 )
During the 50s Johnny Smith used d'angelico guitars then became a guild endorser , however he did not like the guitar, in 1960 johnny smith turned his loyalty to gibson and offered an
ultimatum so to speak , he told gibson that he would be delighted to sign a contract to use his name but if the guitar does not meet his standards the deal is off .
In late 1960 two sample guitars were built according to johnny smiths' specs , he wanted a fully acoustic archtop with a suspended floating pickup . Gibson decided to use the mini humbucker (PU-120) .
The johnny smith guitar was the first gibson guitar to be fitted with this pick up , it was mounted at the very end of the neck .
In early 1961 one of the 2 sample guitars were sent to johnny smith , he made few minor changes and immediatly approved them . In 1961 the Gibson johnny smith guitar was introduced at $795 ( Gibson's most expensive guitar at the time ) along side with the popular barney kessel guitar .
The guitar was an archtop guitar , had a single rounded cutaway ,one floating mini humbucking pickup, gold hardware , multiple binding front and back , L-5 style tailpiece with model name , split-block fingerboard inlays and were made in natural or sunburst finishes .
In 1963 to 1989 they also introduced the gibson johnny smith double ( basically the same guitar but with 2 humbucking pickups , all johnny smith guitars were discontinued in 1989 . ( Known also as the Gibson JS model )
Vintage Price Value For 2009 :
1961 - 1962 > $9000 to $9400 ( Johnny Smith )
1963 - 1969 > $6500 to $8900
1970 - 1989 > $5800 to $6800
1961 - 1969 > $6700 to $10300 ( Johnny Smith Double )
1970 - 1989 > $6000 to $7000
Avg Upward Trend Of 9% a Year since 2000 ( for both )
Buying Advice For Used & Vintage Gibson Johnny Smith Guitars
If you want to buy a Gibson Johnny Smith guitar, you can find used & vintage Gibson Johnny Smith guitars for sale on Ebay.
During the 50s Johnny Smith used d'angelico guitars then became a guild endorser , however he did not like the guitar, in 1960 johnny smith turned his loyalty to gibson and offered anultimatum so to speak , he told gibson that he would be delighted to sign a contract to use his name but if the guitar does not meet his standards the deal is off .
In late 1960 two sample guitars were built according to johnny smiths' specs , he wanted a fully acoustic archtop with a suspended floating pickup . Gibson decided to use the mini humbucker (PU-120) .
The johnny smith guitar was the first gibson guitar to be fitted with this pick up , it was mounted at the very end of the neck .
In early 1961 one of the 2 sample guitars were sent to johnny smith , he made few minor changes and immediatly approved them . In 1961 the Gibson johnny smith guitar was introduced at $795 ( Gibson's most expensive guitar at the time ) along side with the popular barney kessel guitar .
The guitar was an archtop guitar , had a single rounded cutaway ,one floating mini humbucking pickup, gold hardware , multiple binding front and back , L-5 style tailpiece with model name , split-block fingerboard inlays and were made in natural or sunburst finishes .In 1963 to 1989 they also introduced the gibson johnny smith double ( basically the same guitar but with 2 humbucking pickups , all johnny smith guitars were discontinued in 1989 . ( Known also as the Gibson JS model )
Vintage Price Value For 2009 :
1961 - 1962 > $9000 to $9400 ( Johnny Smith )
1963 - 1969 > $6500 to $8900
1970 - 1989 > $5800 to $6800
1961 - 1969 > $6700 to $10300 ( Johnny Smith Double )
1970 - 1989 > $6000 to $7000
Avg Upward Trend Of 9% a Year since 2000 ( for both )Buying Advice For Used & Vintage Gibson Johnny Smith Guitars
If you want to buy a Gibson Johnny Smith guitar, you can find used & vintage Gibson Johnny Smith guitars for sale on Ebay.
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I know its a long shot but my dad had a Johnny Smith gibson that my brother lost in a pawn shop after my dad passed away in the eighties. It is a one of a kind because the head piece was broken, we had it fixed but there were bolts in it. If anyone has seen it please let me know I desperatly would like to get it back
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Does anyone know, or know where I can find the serial numbers of the two original sample Johnny Smith guitars?