Gibson Johnny Smith bridges

[skykomishone]

Has anyone seen a Gibson Johnny Smith with an ABR bridge?
And/Or an Armstrong 12 pole?
I'm curious. I know there is a thread discussing the GJS vs KA, but on other guitars.
I recently acquired one with both. The original GJS PU and guard are in the case.
Sounds awesome.

[floatingpickup]

Has anyone seen a Gibson Johnny Smith with an ABR bridge?
And/Or an Armstrong 12 pole?
I'm curious. I know there is a thread discussing the GJS vs KA, but on other guitars.
I recently acquired one with both. The original GJS PU and guard are in the case.
Sounds awesome.

Gibson Johnny Smith’s always had ebony bridges.

[GuyBoden]

A Gibson JS like this:
1981 Gibson Johnny Smith


Or like this:
1966 Gibson Johnny Smith Sunburst > Guitars Hollow Body | Gary's Classic Guitars LLC

[mrichman]

My 1968 has an ABR-1 with nylon saddles, pretty sure it's original to the guitar as I have an old photograph from the original owner

[floatingpickup]

My 1968 has an ABR-1 with nylon saddles, pretty sure it's original to the guitar as I have an old photograph from the original owner

I guess it is entirely possible that a JS could have been ordered with n ABR-1.
Keith

[skykomishone]

Thank you. I think that makes it 3 that I'm aware of, including my very recent purchase.

I guess the customer could have always asked Gibson to ship it with the ABR. Sometimes the challenge when buying an old guitar for some of us is trying to piece together what is original, and what is not. Not that it makes much of a difference to me. It’s a wonderful guitar and I'm entirely satisfied with it as is. It's more curiosity on my part. Thank you for helping.

What gets me the most is how even and great the sound is on this one. I've played others that didn't impress me like this. I'm sure it's not the bridge doing all of that, but I like exploring the question of originality, and this helps me. I would hate to get into one of those endless discussions on the merits of one vs the other, and although I love the look of ebony and wood in general, unless the imagined one is found I'll be happily enjoying this one.

[ThatRhythmMan]

It’s also entirely possible that the original owner bought an ABR-1 after market and swapped it out. This wouldn’t have been unusual at all.




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[skiboyny]

With Gibson anything is possible. If you like how it sounds that's really all that matters.

[Betz]

Which begs the question, if your guitar had the nice ebony inlaid bridge could you just remove the top ebony saddle and place a ToM on the existing base and adjustment screws?

[sgosnell]

It's possible. If the pole spacing is identical, it's just a drop-in replacement. If the pole spacing in the existing base is non-standard, it might be necessary to fill the post holes and redrill for the TOM. It's fussy, but possible.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Which begs the question, if your guitar had the nice ebony inlaid bridge could you just remove the top ebony saddle and place a ToM on the existing base and adjustment screws?

If it’s an original Gibson base, a Gibson TOM should be a drop in fit.


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[Max405]

Sky,
I responded back to your email, I hope you received it.
My GJS came with the ebony bridge and the cumbersome gold volume knob on the pickguard.
I use a Tunomatic and a found a smaller volume knob. Originals went back into the case. This slight mod makes the guitar more enjoyable for me.
As I stated in my email, I hope you have the original crappy grey 1/8” cord that came with the guitar. This awful cord acts like a microphone, so the electric sound is colored with hints of the guitars wonderful acoustic sound.
One other thing.
Kluson came out with replacement tuners that replaced the mint but awful tuners that came on my guitar. The old tuners are polished up and next to the bridge and knob in the case pocket. The new Klusons are spot on replacements and they also make the guitar more enjoyable for me.
I love my GJS. That and my Wes L5 are my prized possessions.
Eventually, I’d like to add another GB10 or GB100 and I’d be set.
All the best to you Sky, and everyone else here.
Joe D

[skykomishone]

Joe D,

I did get your email my friend! You're at the top of my Gibson Johnny Smith guitar aficionados list. The original GJS pickup and pickguard came inside the original case pocket with this one. I agree with you regarding the knob. Johnny must have had big hands, because I know it wasn't his eyesight if he every had trouble finding it, ha.

I doubt I'll every swap back in the original pickup and guard. It'll stay in the case. The KA was superbly and solidly installed, including the solid 1/4" connector underneath the pickguard with very good volume and tone wheels. I might consider having an endpin jack instead. Not having wires inside is also nice, and I'm sure I can get use to having the cord where it currently connects.

Regarding the bridge, my 2014 L5P came with a Gibson ABR metal bridge. Matt Cushman made an Ebony bridge for it. It came out perfectly and sounds great. I miss having Matt on the forum...


Thanks Joe! You're awesome brother!