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Hi, this guitar has turned up for sale in a local guitar shop. I had a chance to try it out and it feels sublime and sounds great. I welcome any comments, observations or additional information. I'm no expert but I've never seen a mid-60's Gibson with such incredibly figured wood. Thoughts? Curious as to what you think a reasonable price would be. It sold in 2019 for around 15k. The serial number is 551280. I have some additional photos that I took, will post them later.
Thanks!
Gibson Johnny Smith 1966 Archtop Guitar, Natural Finish - Pre-Owned – The North American Guitar
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04-01-2022 06:32 PM
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Looks great, but that price, ouch
Though w the way Gibsons have been going up not too surprising.
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Wow! That is stunning! If there are no issues with it, I think that price sounds about right. I’ll be interested to see what others think.
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Thanks, but that price was what it sold for in 2019. The current mark up over that is .... obscene...
Len
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Love the quilt back! I owned a 69 sunburst at one point with a quilt back. Not really clean enough for a true collector piece and too much money for a player. IMO
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Confused a little by the serial number.
I have a 66 Johnny Smith and my number is nothing like what you have.
however when I search on it it confirms 1966 as one of the probable manufacture dates.
the number above seems to return 1974/5
I am no expert and my be totally wrong but suggest that you do some checking.
cheers
Mike
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Info: serial number is stamped on the back of the headstock
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I would not pay $15k for a GJS. Even that one but not say they are cheap. Just could get a better deal.
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There was a lot of troublesome serial numbering during that era. 1966 is appropriate though. 5xxxxx numbers could also be seen in 1974-5, but that back alone would make the 1970s highly unlikely.
Originally Posted by MikeJ
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The back of my '68:
Quite different, but not sure that's significant.
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Spectacular! Thanks.
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Well, the math is unique to everyone. I wouldn't, indeed couldn't, pay that much for any guitar even a real D'Angelico. $15,000 to me is way too much, but to somebody else in a better financial situation with lots of disposable money it may seem reasonable. An "obscene" markup over that… I would just walk away shaking my head. But again, to someone else that may be a reasonable price.
I have always wanted a Johnny Smith since I played a couple in college and I've never been able to afford one. As my income has gone up significantly over the course of my lifetime, the price of these things has gone up much faster leaving me further behind. C'est la vie. All of my guitars together would not add up to $15,000, and I have some guitars that make me very happy indeed. I do not lay awake at night lamenting the Gibson Johnny Smith that got away.
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Veblen Effect
Abnormal market behavior where consumers purchase the higher-priced goods whereas similar low-priced (but not identical) substitutes are available. It is caused either by the belief that higher price means higher quality, or by the desire for conspicuous consumption (to be seen as buying an expensive, prestige item). Named after its discoverer, the US social critic Thorstein Bunde Veblen (1857-1929).
Monash
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Then again ....
Guitar Center is advertising Gibson's current unendorsed version of the Johnny Smith, the LeGrand, for $14,299.00.
None in stock, currently, but I assume they can order one ... and then you wait about a year.
Gibson Custom LeGrand Hollowbody Electric Guitar Natural | Guitar Center
A big part of that Johnny Smith price has to be the color and the back.
Reverb has several Johnny Smith guitars for around $11K or less, but no blondes and that back is rather awesome.
And it is showing as sold, now.
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It was sold in 2019. Now on the market again, not yet listed on line.
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Ok, I see. Originally Posted by Len R
So, yeah, compared to the current list of Johnny Smiths on Reverb, the price seems a little high. And those JS guitars will probably sell for less ... when and if they sell them.
But it's blond. The only blond JS currently on reverb is a 1961 Guild ... probably a great guitar, too.
It has a gorgeous back.
As a 1960s Gibson, it has some vintage pedigree and is not a Norlin era guitar.
And you have been able to play it and you know you like it.
They may be willing to budge on the price.
The web site is confusing. Is this guitar in Nashville, TN or London, UK? Sounds like they have stores in both cities.
If you're in the UK this may be a more reasonable price than it would be in the US.
If you are in Nashville, they may already have enough interested customers to ask a premium price for it ... and they may have some UK/European customers interested as well.
Good Luck with your decision
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Thanks Bluedawg. The link to North American Guitar is old, they sold it in 2019. (North American Guitar is in Nashville). I found the link by doing a Google search for 1966 Gibson Johnny Smith blonde natural. The $15,250 price is what it sold for in 2019. The guitar has turned up in a local shop (US) near me. They are asking 23K, which is negotiable but I wanted to do some research before making an offer. Have no idea how flexible the seller is.
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I thought 15K was about 3 grand too high, but 23K? Maybe if you want to set a world record Originally Posted by Len R
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23K?
Ouch
That's in the range of the most expensive post 1960 standard model Gibson archtops, the Citation and Kalamazoo Award models ... and more than they usually go for.
If it was a 50s Gibson that might not be that high, but Johnny Smith didn't sign up with Gibson until 1961.
That price makes me think it is in the store on consignment and the current owner is not that keen to sell it, but will let it go if he can get more than top dollar for it. Just a guess, though.
In the end it's how bad do you want it and how much of a financial hit will it be for you.
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23K?
I'd hold out for another one.
Hmmm... maybe this one. Extracting it from my paws will require less than $23,000....
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For $23k one can buy a real D'angelico and I would suggest that might be on the high side too but a much better buy.
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What is that?! Originally Posted by Hammertone
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These prices are beyond expensive, no matter what current market value is. It wasn’t even 5 years ago they were half that value. And who heck can play a gig that would ever warrant such value, John McGlaughlin?
Sorry folks but at 64 years of age and owning almost every Gibson and Fender imaginable vintage and newer. This is just as ridiculous as old Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, ES Gibsons etc!
I get that it’s investors etc. but come on already. Count me out as guitarist,musician, and lover of guitars!
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As mentioned elsewhere: "Cleaning up one of the bunkers, the question arose of what one does with a pile of NOS Gibson parts and a '52 L-7P body with a smashed-up top, all gathering dust for the past 30 years. Bonfire? Wall decoration? Hat rack? Diorama? Put them together into a functional guitar?" Originally Posted by Len R
It's just a little magic being whipped up for me by Mr. Campellone. Lots of NOS Johnny Smith and L-5 bits. Should be fully baked by the end of April. More pix to come soon enough.
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Originally Posted by Len R
Len -- Originally Posted by MikeJ
GuitarHQ shows that serial number as 1969.
As others have noted Gibson serial numbers are non-linear, but Steve's research is generally reliable (meant as compliment).
If your seller has some backup for the 1966 date, such as a potentiometer code, that might be helpful as you ponder.
For some people the difference between 1966 and 1969 matters a ton. For others, not so much.
The 'not so much' crowd says, "It is what it is, I love it, I want it."
The 'matters a tonners' say, "Not only do I want a 1966 more than I want a 1969, but 'Like the 13th chime of the clock it calls into question the validity of all which came before.' "
All the best with your quest.
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I'd definitely play it first, before I plopped down that much coin.
I've played some JS Gibson's that I was not at all impressed with, at all. Sure, there are great ones, and I've played one, but just because it says 'Johnny Smith' on it, doesn't guarantee that it's a great sounding guitar.
That quilt is hypnotic, and I've played some guitars that looked obscenely beautiful, but still didn't sound that great. Looks can be deceiving. I dated a beautiful blond in my youth, but it was only a passing fancy.
Good luck with your decision.
Cheers!
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