Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, REDUCED, SOLD
The Gibson Johnny Smith archtop electric was introduced in 1961 and built under that name until 1989, and is now named ‘Le Grande’.
At 17 inches across, the Gibson Johnny Smith is one of the biggest-bodied guitars Gibson has offered, along with the L5 and Super 400, and sports a rounded ‘Venetian’ cutaway. The top is carved from Sitka Spruce with an X-bracing system, and is relatively thick to reduce feedback when amplified. The arched back is bookmatched flamed Maple. The sides and neck are also Maple, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge.
Unusually for Gibson, this model has a 25 inch (635mm) scale length. Gibson normally uses either 24.75 inch or 25.5 inch scale lengths, and the 25 inch scale is standard for PRS guitars.
From its introduction, the Johnny Smith was intended as an acoustic/electric, and it carries a mini-humbucking pickup mounted on the bass side of the neck and on the pickguard. The volume control and output jack are also mounted on the pickguard.
This example dates to 1962 and is in largely original and good working condition. It’s been professionally refretted, with plenty of life left on the fret wire and plays very nicely. The top has a repaired crack and there is lots of play wear on the guitar. The volume knob is not original, but the pot, pickup, pickguard tuners and tailpiece are all original.
Johnny Smith was one of the premiere guitarists in the late 1940’s into the early 1960’s and from the early 1950’s was one of the first to introduce the ‘Chord Melody’ style of playing.
- Model: Johnny Smith
- Year: 1962
- Finish Sunburst
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 52811, built during 1962 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 14/04/2022
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 6.27lbs 2.85kg
- Scale Length: 25in 635mm
- Nut Width: 1.728in 43.91mm
