20/12/12 1962 Gibson Johnny Smith

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1962 Gibson
Johnny Smith
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Serial #: 52812, Orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale

length: 25" Nut width: 1 3/4"'

Materials: Handcarved quartersawn

bookmatched solid spruce top; figured
tiger flame maple sides and neck;
handcarved bookmatched flame maple
back; ebony fingerboard with mother
of pearl block fingerboard and
peghead inlay; 7-ply body binding, 5-
ply peghead and fingerboard binding, 3
ply back binding, bound f-holes, bone
nut.

Hardware: All original hardware includes engraved gold-plated medallion tailpiece; adjustable compensated
ebony bridge with pearl inlay; gold Kluson Sealfast tuners; gold floating Johnny Smith humbucking pickup
with 1/4" jack mounted to pickguard; quintuple-bound marbled tortoise pickguard; custom engraved truss
rod cover.

Notes: Introduced in 1961, the Gibson Johnny Smith Model represented the pinnacle of Smith's design
creativity, in an instrument that married classic body styling with unprecedented technical innovation. Four
decades later, it's hard to envision a time when the only floating pickups available were the DeArmond or the

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McCarty pickguard pickup. The Johnny Smith debuted the world's first floating humbucking pickup, now the
industry standard. Taking inspiration from the past as well as the future, Smith resurrected the classic X-
braced top, a design used by Gibson in the 1930's. With it's increased sustain and warm, throaty tone, the X-
brace has become favored as well among contemporary archtop builders from Benedetto on.

While some of Smith's innovations were revolutionary, many more were evolutionary; incorporating a number
of refinements designed to improve the playability of the instrument in subtle but significant ways. Feeling
constrained by the standard 1 11/16" nut, Smith again reached to past masters and revived the more
generous 1 3/4" fingerboard of the early 30's, a favorite of finger-style players. Similarly, Smith introduced a
25" scale, to facilitate stretch voicings without sacrificing response. Finally, the body was slimmed by 1/8th of
an inch to an even 3" depth, to make it just that much easier to hold. The result is an instrument unique in
playability, tonal response, and aesthetics. The visual appointments of the Johnny Smith are drawn from a
number of Gibson paramount models. The 17" Venetian cutaway body and deco tailpiece are those of the L-
5C, the neck and peghead are from the Super 400, and the opulent 7-ply body binding recalls the classic
Epiphone Emperor.

This rare example was built in the second year of production, and is one of a just 73 produced in its model
year. Built for a player named Jim Fortese (whose name is engraved in the custom truss rod cover) this
handsome guitar sports a smartly figured maple back and neck; all original finish and hardware including
original gold JS medallion tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners; solid ebony bridge with inlaid base, orange
label. A rare and eyecatching feature of this early example is the original pickguard, multi-bound in Gibson's
exclusive marbled tortoise celluloid. This material is generally reserved for the Super 400 model, but was
added by request to Johnny Smith's own personal prototype guitar, adn appears on this early example as
well. An additional bonus is the scarce original-issue Johnny Smith pickup, which employs a thin strip of
tortoise material beneath the polepiece holes, in lieu of the metal polepieces of later models.

Lovingly maintained since purchase, this handsome guitar shows no cracks or repairs, and the warm original
tobacco sunburst finish is without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from a few scattered
lacquer nicks, the guitar appears to have spent most if its long career safely ensconced in the deep plush of its
original Gibson hardshell case. The solid ebony fingerboard has smooth low action over fine professional
medium jumbo frets, and an elegant light D profile neck that glides through the palm. The original screw-on
jack and cable are included, now replaced with a standard 1/4" guitar jack, mounted under the pickguard,
and the strap button has been moved from the heel to the heel cap. The X-braced soundboard produces a
rich, resonant acoustic voice, ably transmitted by the warm, quiet floating humbucking pickup.

Early models of this groundbreaking guitar are few and far between, and highly prized by players and
collectors alike. Even rarer still are examples in this exceptional level of condition. Call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief
adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut
as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved
as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and
hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or
heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with
moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your
requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe arched black Gibson hardshell case, wth gold plush lining.
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