Gibson Johnny Smith price check

**David B** · 01-14-2014, 07:32 PM

Just wanted to pick our forum vintage guitar experts on current pricing for Gibson Johnny Smiths. This question has been asked in the past but those threads are a good couple of years old now.

I've looked at eBay completed listings and no JSs have sold in the last two months that I can go back.

Looking at gbase, it appears a natural 1979 went for $6,600 fairly recently.

Advertised prices otherwise seem to hover anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000.

Can anyone share any experience of what they are actually selling at right now?

I am not in a position to buy right now but am strongly considering moving some gear in order to be ready to make a move later this year.

Thanks folks.

**jads57** · 01-14-2014, 10:07 PM

I always think somewhere like Archtop.com, Mandolin Bros., Lark Street Music will give you a good idea of what things are going for. Especially if they sell fairly quickly. But a local dealer who is a highly respected archtop seller told me things are not selling at that moment. But he definitely sold his Gibson L-5CES,etc. last summer when they where priced in the mid 5K range. Hope this helps!

**Philco** · 01-14-2014, 10:19 PM

Here's one at Archtop.com. It's been stuck there for some time now. I'm guessing that the thinner nut is prohibiting the sale. It certainly is a deal breaker for me.

http://www.archtop.com/ac_66jsd.html

So watch for that......and if it's a single or double pup. Natural finishes are usually more expensive if in good nick.

I heard a Collings Jazz City Limits the other day with a Lollar J Smith floater and it sounded so similar to a Gibson JS. Even with the thinner body.

Got me thinking........

**MackBolan** · 01-15-2014, 04:10 AM

- Right now in Germany:
blonde 1 PU 1977 Jim Hutchinson 6900 Euros,
1980"s sunburst 2 PU 5800 Euros,
so the Dollar/Euro is nearly 1:1.

**Philco** · 01-15-2014, 04:55 AM

I wonder if the 1980's sunburst is the same one I saw. If so it will need a complete re fret. Someone had filed the frets flat to the board

**jads57** · 01-15-2014, 04:55 PM

You might want to check into a Gibson LeGrand model which was Gibson's newer JS model. I believe that someone has Steve Miller's LeGrand for sale in the For Sale section at the moment!

**Philco** · 01-15-2014, 10:23 PM

Don't often get to hear a JS acoustically so this is nice.......

**fumblefingers** · 01-16-2014, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by jads57

You might want to check into a Gibson LeGrand model which was Gibson's newer JS model. I believe that someone has Steve Miller's LeGrand for sale in the For Sale section at the moment!

They still make them. There was one at zoo music a couple of months ago. Went fast.

**David B** · 01-23-2014, 12:56 PM

Hi folks,
Just giving this a bump up to catch more eyes.

**jads57** · 01-24-2014, 12:28 PM

If you aren't set on the Gibson name on the headstock, Mark Campellone makes some the finest Gibson acoustic X archtops out there. And they can usually be found at a great price used. $4-6k

**floatingpickup** · 01-26-2014, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by jads57

If you aren't set on the Gibson name on the headstock, Mark Campellone makes some the finest Gibson acoustic X archtops out there. And they can usually be found at a great price used. $4-6k

I agree. I had Mark build me a guitar with the Johnny Smith dimensions, slightly shorter/thinner body than an L5, 25" scale and 1 3/4" nut. I had him add a tone control, which is something I wish the Gibson JS had. Mark does not use X-bracing though. He uses parallel bracing on all of his guitars.
Keith

**AlainJazz** · 01-26-2014, 10:33 AM

Very nice guitar!

**floatingpickup** · 01-26-2014, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

They still make them. There was one at zoo music a couple of months ago. Went fast.

I think the Gibson LeGrand is a beautiful guitar, but there are some differences between a LeGrand and an original JS. The LeGrand has a 25.5" scale length and a 1 11/16 nut, while the JS had a 25" scale length and a 1 3/4" nut. The Gibson JS was X-braced. I am not sure about the bracing on a LeGrand.

Mandolin Bros had one for sale and said it was parallel braced http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibs...htop-2010/1830

Archtop.com had one and said it was X-braced http://www.archtop.com/ac_01LG.html

Can any LeGrand owners out there confirm the bracing pattern?

These differences wouldn't bother me, but they are a significant departure from the fundamental design of the JS.

Keith

**Jabbarn** · 01-26-2014, 07:21 PM

You wouldn't be thinking of moving your Moffa, would you?

**David B** · 01-26-2014, 07:34 PM

The Moffa's for life!

**Jabbarn** · 01-26-2014, 07:44 PM

I'm not surprised. So is mine!

**fumblefingers** · 01-26-2014, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by floatingpickup

I think the Gibson LeGrand is a beautiful guitar, but there are some differences between a LeGrand and an original JS. The LeGrand has a 25.5" scale length and a 1 11/16 nut, while the JS had a 25" scale length and a 1 3/4" nut. The Gibson JS was X-braced. I am not sure about the bracing on a LeGrand.

Mandolin Bros had one for sale and said it was parallel braced http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibs...htop-2010/1830

Archtop.com had one and said it was X-braced http://www.archtop.com/ac_01LG.html

Can any LeGrand owners out there confirm the bracing pattern?

These differences wouldn't bother me, but they are a significant departure from the fundamental design of the JS.

Keith

Ok, at the risk of showing how little I know about bracing, how do I check? I may have a mirror that I can slip into the f-hole.

(btw I believe it's x braced)

**floatingpickup** · 01-27-2014, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

Ok, at the risk of showing how little I know about bracing, how do I check? I may have a mirror that I can slip into the f-hole.

(btw I believe it's x braced)

X braces cross somewhere near the middle of the underside of the top. Parallel braces run from front to back alongside the f-holes and, although they aren't exactly parallel, they never cross. I found a picture showing both types in one image. I don't know this maker, but it's a good picture to show you what you're looking for. http://www.germanguitars.com/02_Design/photos/07.jpg
Keith

**fumblefingers** · 01-27-2014, 10:30 PM

Confirmed. X braced.

**floatingpickup** · 01-28-2014, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

Confirmed. X braced.

Cool. So, I guess that means the LeGrand body is the same as a JS. The only significant change from the JS, is that the scale and nut width on the LeGrand are like an L5 (which isn't a bad thing). Oh, and a nice end-pin jack, which is a huge improvement. Now I'm Jonesing for one!
Thanks for letting us know.
Keith

**fumblefingers** · 01-28-2014, 09:47 AM

i have three fine archtops. my LeGrand has the smoothest, easiest feeling fretboard of all 3. the tension/stiffness is light (TI Bensons 12-53) and the action is super low. its a keeper.