Gibson J-60 Guitar

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Gibson J-60 Acoustic Flat Top (1992-1999) 

In 1992 Gibson introduced acoustic flat top guitars with pre war quality, combined them with modern craftsmanship and named it the Gibson J-60 guitar. The J-60 has a rich tone when finger picked and performs exceptionally well for flat-picking solos, a favorite amongst many guitar players that play bluegrass. 

The Gibson J-60 is loud and has the maximum projection and tonal response you can expect from a 16"wide body, this was a direct competitor of the Martin D-28 because the look and tone was very much alike, however the Martin D-28 was more popular and in my opinion the J-60 was underrated, to say which guitar is better is a question of taste. 

In 1992 the Gibson J-60 had a solid spruce top, square shoulders (unlike their pre war guitars which had round shoulders), Indian rosewood back and sides, body was 16" wide, multi-bound body, unbound ebony fingerboards with no inlays, pre war script logos, and were made in natural or vintage sunburst finishes in 1995. 

In 1997 the guitar was renamed the Gibson J-60 Traditional which had gold plated tuner buttons with dot inlays. Discontinued in 1999. In 1993 to 1996 Gibson also released the Gibson J-60 Curly Maple Montana Special, the guitar was a limited edition from the Montana shop, it had a brass limited edition plate in back of the peg head, body was curly maple back and sides, and were made in natural or sunburst finishes.

> Look For Used & Vintage Gibson J-60 Guitars For Sale.

Gibson J-60 Price Guide (Updated May-2-2021)
  • 1992 - 1996 > $1250 to $1600 (J-60)
  • 1997 - 1999 > $1300 to $1600 (Renamed J-60 Traditional)
  • 1993 - 1996 > $1650 to $2250 (J-60 Curly Maple Montana)

Comments

  1. Anonymous12:35 PM

    Do you have any information on the limited edition Walnut J-60's that were made in 2005?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:46 PM

    that guitar was made too recently , your better off calling gibson .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10:07 AM

    I own a 1995 J60. It is one of the finest sounding and playing square shoulder drednaughts one will ever find. I have used it for numerous recordings and at both the studios I have worked with the engineers have always offered: "If you ever want to sell that, let me know first."
    That should tell you something of this guitar's sound and recordability.
    On my instrument the finish is wearing a bit along the fret board. It doesn't bother me, but for some folks that will be an issue. I have had to have a top crack (ever so slight, at the neck to soundhole) but this has more to do with 'forced air heating' than anything else (use humidifiers with quality instruments)

    with respect
    Barry Lee
    Spirit Wing
    www.spiritwing.org

    ReplyDelete
  4. John Farmer11:22 AM

    In the spring of 1993 Gibson produced 36 “Guitar of the Month” J-60 curly maple guitars making them available to the public through various music stores across the U.S. [mine was purchased in Hueytown, Alabama]. Unlike the guitar pictured below [Go here if you want to see the picture of the gibson j-60 curly maple limited edition .] they had gold tuning buttons (not black) with no brand inscription and the brass plate on the back of the peg head read- “the date of manufacture [mine is May 7, 1993] with Montana Special below it”. The Gibson label viewed through the sound hole also indicates which one of the 36 guitars you have in your hands- [mine is #7 of 36]. It is a wonderful guitar. I bought and then later sold a Martin D-28. What can I say, I’m a Gibson man. Let me know if you have a value of my guitar.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11:54 AM

    he spring of 1993 Gibson produced 36 “Guitar of the Month” J-60 curly maple guitars making them available to the public through various music stores across the U.S. [mine was purchased in Hueytown, Alabama]. Unlike the guitar pictured below [Go here if you want to see the picture of the gibson j-60 curly maple limited edition .] they had gold tuning buttons (not black) with no brand inscription and the brass plate on the back of the peg head read- “the date of manufacture [mine is May 7, 1993] with Montana Special below it”.


    To John Farmer and any other Gibson fan who cares:
    I own #16 of 36 of the J 60 Montana Special that was produced in May of 1993. Gibson refers to this series as the J 60 Montana Special. The brass plate on the back of the peg head is engraved in beautiful cursive script as follows:
    Montana Special
    May 16, 1993
    This guitar was a gift to me from my wife, purchased new in Dallas at Guitar Center for just over $1,500 in July, 1993 and this included the Gibson ultra case.
    This is a beautiful instrument with a sweet sound. I consider it an heirloom to keep in the family and will never sell it.
    Gibson was kind enough to send paperwork in addition to what came with it.
    Robert in Texas

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous4:52 PM

    I have a 1993 J-60 CM with no fret markers and no name nickle or chrome tuners. Tortise binding. It's a beautiful and sounds great but has no plaque and does not mention Montana Special. What's it worth compared to the one mentioned in the article?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Red Kilby12:23 PM

    I too have 1 like Robert in Texas a J60CM May 1993 Special Edition, and the info he gave is absolutly correct.

    The guitar that I have is #1 of the 36 made. Yes it is an heirloom to be passed down, I purchased mine in April of 2004 at Intermountain Guitars in Salt Lake City while I was on a trip out there.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1:59 PM

    In the late nineties when the demands were not so high, I became a gibson dealer and one of the pieces I got was a '96 model with Formula 1L on the inside lable. The invoice had it listed as a J-60 style guitar. It looks like the "traditional" pictured above. Most of the ones I've seen on the net have the vintage "butterbean" kluson style tuners, but mine has gold plated tuners that have grover roto styled buttons and small round ping style backs. Plus, mine has a rosewood bridge and dot inlays. I was so impressed with the sound it has been my main squeeze ever since.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous5:32 AM

    I too have a Montana Special # 23 . They were made as of one for each day . In Fact I was just looking at that the other day wondering where the May 7 one is......as is thats my birthdate . Good to know it's not in a pawnshop somewhere .

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7:18 PM

    I have a 1996 M6 montana gold limited edition # 21 of 250. Can anyone tell me how to find any info? Secound owner.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:11 PM

    I have a 2005 walnut j-60. Cant find much info about it. I wonder how many are floating around.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous10:01 PM

    I have a J60 Montana. It has a crack in the back finish all the way down the back length ways and the bridge is coming up off of the guitar. I was told it has a lifetime guarantee. I cannot find my paper work and the music store I purchased it from is long gone out of business. Does anyone know what i can do? Please email me lespaul134 at hot mail dot com or let me know on here. I will keep checking back! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fargo445:49 PM

    I owned a 1992 (first year) J-60 with simple pick guard and no fret markers. Really awesome sounding guitar certainly at least as strong as most D-28's -- and very similar sounding. I sold it to a guy in OK who collects (and plays) Gibson flat tops. I replaced the J-60 with an custom AJ which I like a little better because it has the longer 25.5" scale. I don't understand why Gibson put the 24.75" scale on the J-60 if the D-28 was their target?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown3:11 PM

    I have a 1993 J-60 cm Montana Special. #31 of 36. Although I don't enjoy playing it, it's a beautiful sounding guitar. I'm assuming its value must be around $2000+. Would that be about right?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1:28 PM

    I think the max value assigned for "our" version of the J60cm (I happen to own and play the hell out of #28 of 36) is $2200.

    ReplyDelete

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