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My desire to own a Gibson Johnny Smith doesn’t really go back too far. Yeah, I’ve dreamed about it, but I forced myself to be realistic. There was no way I could ever swing it so I protected myself by blocking out any desire to have one. Then I got a little older. Things changed a little bit. I joined the NutBag club and, well, here we are..
Our own Steve Longobardi knew of my desire to own a Gibson Johnny Smith. So as he put it, he was keeping his eyes open for me. One day, he called and told me he bought one. He said it was the best Johnny he ever played, heard or seen. He has seen a few in his time..
Every word that Steve spoke about the GJS made me happy for him but at the same time, a bubbling cauldron of jealousy was forming. One day, I was talking to Vinny and he said, “You know, Steve bought that Guitar for you”. So I confronted Steve and he said, “Yes, I did. I have a LeGrand that I love, an L5P, a D’A as well as a bunch of guitars from my favorite builder, Trenier.” He said,” so when you are ready let me know, its yours”. Well, after hearing that, I got ready as quickly as I could. With help from my boys, Marc, Vinny and Steve, we managed to pull this off.
On the evening of 9/26, I drove out to Long Island NY with an envelope full of money. I met up with Steve. He took me to a room where the Guitar was. When he opened the case, the 1st thing I thought was there is no way a 40 year old Guitar can look this good. It’s a totally Original, Mint Condition 1976 Gibson Johnny Smith. There were a few imperfections. A small amount of green corrosion was present on the edge of the Johnny Smith pickup. The clear/gold volume knob has a green tinge inside of it. The Pickguard screws are corroding. There is the slightest amount of very light checking on the lower horn. There are 3 dings on the back. No big deal at all. Yeah, that’s it. On a 40 year old Guitar!
The finish, as Steve put it, is 40 years of perfectly cured Nitrocellulose Lacquer. Its hard, and still maintains its “glow” and shine just as it did when it left the factory 40years ago. It is still very smooth to the touch. The neck is dead straight. All bindings are perfect. The pickguard is original and still has many years of outgassing left in it.. The illustrious Sealfast tuners are every bit as brand new as they were when they were placed onto the oversized headstock 40 years ago. They look new but they have a lot of play in them. Especially the A string. The tailpiece looks like its 4 days old. Just like the tuners and 90% of the pickup cover, No pitting, oxidization or tarnish. The gold plating is still 100% perfect. The Gibson “fretless” frets are original and all nibs are intact. I don’t think there is any playwear on the frets. Both E Strings hug the edges of the fingerboard all the way down tothe bridge saddle. The 5 piece neck is perfect and free of dings or playwear.
As beautiful as the guitar is, it is plain. There is very little flame on the back and the neck. Some of the maple on the sides look like the maple found on silky pool cuesticks. The coloration is yellow bursting to black. The binding scraping could have been better. However, the simplicity is elegant. This is what an Elite level acoustic archtop is supposed to be.
I will admit, it took some time to get comfortable with the Guitar. The strings were not where I expected them to be. The extremely low frets require more effort for my little hands to play. The wide string spacing makes the perfect 25” scale feel longer.In my 3rd day, with this Guitar, I have locked into it. Oh my god, it was worth the time and effort.
The sound of this guitar is beyond anything I’ve ever heard. The guitar makes very complex sounds. When played with authority, a subtle sound follows the guitar sounds. Steve calls it natural reverb. But the notes you are playing are prominent and focused. The after effect is very faint, and doesn’t get in the way. The neck is pure perfection. Slightly wider than the Heritage Johnny Smith. Ever so slightly deeper. However, upper fret access on the Gibson is superior. Gibson necks seem have a varying radius (flatter on the lower frets and more curved in the higher frets) that makes playing in the upper register very easy.
I am sure this story will evolve as time goes on. One thing I am happy to say for certain,this guitar did not disappoint me in the least. I got a barely broken in, 1976 Gibson Johnny Smith that will help make me a better player. This guitar is an Elite instrument. Once I get completely dialed into it, beautiful stuff will happen. Many times, players pick up an elite instruments and immediately say,“Ah, this is not for me..” Most of the time, high end stuff is high end stuff for a valid reason. Sometimes it takes patience to learn a guitar. When you apply yourself, the guitar should be an extension of what’s in your Heart, your Brain and your hands. This Guitar is no exception. It’s the epidemy of excellence.
Some Videos
Last edited by Max405; 10-01-2016 at 01:05 PM.
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10-01-2016 12:59 PM
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Some pictures too..
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A heartfelt congrats to my brother from another mother. May this guitar be the one to inspire your musical journey, and may that journey be a long one!
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Oh Joe,
I am so pleased you got your Holy Grail. A Gibson Johnny Smith... You are such a great guy and always deserved to reach this point. Sometimes God makes us wait, it's gotta be on His Time, not ours. Well that Time came for you buddy...
Always respected and admired you from the get go Joe. God Bless.
What a great post to see you get your dream and hear to her you play...
All the best
Big
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Congratulations Joe, you truly know how to make a guitar sing and that one sounds particularly good in your hands.
Enjoy it in good health!
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A big Yippee- Ki-O Congrats my friend and thank you to Steve for taking care of our boy.
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Joe,
I knew when I found this guitar - it was going to satisfy a long dream of yours. I had my eye on it for months and the seller is a great guy who aquired this jewel in an estate sale from the family of the original (deceased) owner- who cherished the guitar since he bought it. I was on the phone with the seller over 1 hour going over every square inch of this guitar, along with examining numerous photos. I knew I had found a winner.
As you know, I was looking at several Johnny Smith's throughout the past few months for Jazznote, and nothing I examined really met my standards of excellence or value. Jazznote was also very particular and he was finally blessed with getting his beloved blonde from a western pa dealer- that I never did play......but through much correspondence with Jazznote, it met the checklist requirements.
When I received the guitar and played it - I realized what a score this was - it blew everything away that I recently played - by FAR! I was so excited - because I knew ( you didnt yet) this was going to you......however long it took for you to aquire the funds. The greatest gift is giving ... and im so glad to be part of this excitement for you .......you deserve it.
Your tone on these videos is extraordinary , and the missing link you have been searching for.
Congrats - and many years of enjoyble playing !!
Sent from my GT-N5110 using TapatalkLast edited by QAman; 10-01-2016 at 02:13 PM.
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Very nice, guitar and playing, congrats !
and now keep this one !
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That's a very classy looking JS. From an aesthetic standpoint, it's got all that you'd want. The burst was executed perfectly, a lot of center and a smaller rim with a nice transition. The spruce has nice character, too.
Gibson didn't overdo the flaming back then. But the back is bookmatched spot on with the totally appropriate level of disciplined character.
Frets tended to be lower back then. With flatwounds and a gentle touch, they'll outlive you.
I'm glad you got your holy grail. But it begs the question: what's the point of living when all of your desires are in the review mirror, sir? I guess it's to get busy playing.
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Hey yjoe,
i'm really happy that you got this dream guitar of yours! You deserve it! Play it in good health for a long time to come.
... now I feel inspired to pick up one of my nice guitar and play something in your honour :-) (but I'll never be as good as you)
Enjoy!
cheers,
Frank
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Joe i'm so happy for you! Congrats!
As mine is also a 76 and i can detect many similarities in the sound and ease of movement on the fingerboard when i listen to and look at your beautiful playing i think we do have very similar instruments. Judging from your clips i think this is THE Johnny Smith sound!
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Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
The modern preference is for bold flame on slab-cut wood. What you have was tip-top. In 1976 -- heck, in 1796 -- that was The Shtuff and for the best reason.
There's the chorus singing, "Ya did good, Joe!"
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As always, Joe, it's a treat to see and hear you play. It's a treat to see these beautiful guitars (and Marc's and Mike's and 2b's, et al...), but it's what you bring that is so enjoyable to share. Thanks for that.
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Dude we must be sharing Karma.
on 9/26 I experienced the high-point of my career as a professor, opening a 1000 square foot Archaeology and Israel Studies Learning Lab at my school, with the President, Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, all the VPs and deans, and about 75 others present for the grand opening.
The whole time, I honestly in the back of my mind kept thinking about you playing those fabulous Johnny Smith and Joe Pass solo guitar arrangements.
Maybe it was the Herb Ellis guitar channeling your experience to me?
Congratulations on acquiring lifetime musical partner. I no longer feel bad about buying your Herb Ellis! How can I feel sorry for a guy playing a GJS?
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JD, JD, JD...you don't need a stinkin' rose! You da man!
Beautiful Sunburst. Amazing condition for a 1976. In your neck of the woods that's significant, because '76 was the year of the Bicentennial...I was still stationed in Philly then, and saw it all! You're making some celebratory fireworks bro! Long time coming, and longer time worthy is what that is...good for you Joe, I could not be happier for you. I hope the GJS is everything you imagined it would be and more. She sure is beautiful!!! Mega CONGRATS!
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
Originally Posted by vinlander
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Originally Posted by Steve Longobardi
Originally Posted by fws6
Originally Posted by Marty Grass
I will get better. I am working on Minor Detail by Joe Pass and that will be the next video to come. He plays the same thing over and over, in every possible different way!
Thanks MG.
Originally Posted by FrankLearns
Originally Posted by JazzNote
These guitars are made to be played and cherished. We are very lucky. Thanks buddy.
Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
That chorus is probably what I always in the guitar, acoustically. Its incredible. That's for sharing your vast knowledge. Thanks always Sam.
Originally Posted by aboutIt
Originally Posted by lawson-stone
Joe D.
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
I wish I had your talent as a photographer. You are always so supportive. When I was a nobody here, you and Patrick looked out for me. Thanks my man. My wife, Joey and I are going down to Trenton tonight for DeLorenzo's tomato pie.. I wish you were here.
Thanks for everything.
Joe D.
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That looks like an absolutely amazing guitar!
And also quite a cool story about how she came to you.
Congratulations on an awesome NGD
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JDN you have a gem, a JS not only in name but in SOUND, congratulations and thanks for the pics and the videos, well played. Take care of it.
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Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
Whatever you do, don't pull a 2b, who as a new kid on the block came across a similar conditioned archtop in a '73 Super 400...mint as could be...and I got scared off after discovering the thinnest of top cracks, beneath the pick guard no less, that had been professionally repaired. I reluctantly sold that guitar knowing full well I'd never ever acquire another like it, much less for the price I acquired it...don't you dare sell this one - ever!
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some beautiful playing on those vids joe D...classic jazz tone...but let's face it, you'd sound good on a silvertone!...what's most important is to have the guitars around that inspire you.... bring out the best in you (as they say)..this gjs seems to be doing so!
& another wonderful forum deal besides..good stuff
congrats & enjoy
cheers
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Originally Posted by Longways to Go
Originally Posted by gcb
Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Originally Posted by neatomic
Thanks for always spreading your positive vibe around here.
JD
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Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
*In the Tsumura book section showing various Citations built between 1969 and 1984:
- Citations #1, #7, #15, #20 and one w/no serial # are good examples of quartersawn maple
- Citations #9, #13, #14, #20Abalonia are good examples of flatsawn maple
Joe: Nice guitar!Last edited by Hammertone; 10-04-2016 at 04:43 PM.
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Very nice Joe , is this really it now ? you can't top the GJS , The
tone on your recordings is superb, congrats on the acquisition
and if I may say, very kind of Steve to purchase it, and keep it
on your behalf he is a real gent.
Best, my friend
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (Christian Scott)
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