1987 Gibson Johnny Smith in the most unlikely place

[ARGewirtz]

Yesterday afternoon I stopped into the nearby Sam Ash store in Edison, NJ, to pick up a set of strings and a few odds and ends. In all fairness to Sammy Ash, who just happens to be my best friend’s cousin, I don’t expect that Sammy would take issue with my saying that this store is not a place for jazz guitar aficionados or even jazz neophytes like me just looking to browse the inventory. However, on this particular day, in the back of the guitar section, was a single instrument display case with this pristine looking 1987 Johnny Smith. I thought you might want to see it.

[blille]

You resisted the temptation to play it?

[ARGewirtz]

You resisted the temptation to play it?

Yes, I did resist. I'm still relatively new to jazz guitar and it felt like if I had to ask the store manager to show up with a key to open display case, then hang around while I gave it a spin, I should at least be able to play something worthy of an instrument like this and I'm just not there yet. I have a few nice guitars of my own that I'm happy to play at home, just not yet ready to play in public even if it is only a guitar store.

[Jimmy blue note]

Double pickups. A rare version, Norlin era?

[ARGewirtz]

Double pickups. A rare version, Norlin era?

The price card in the display case lists the guitar as a 1987, so presumably a couple of years post Norlin.

[Litterick]

The purpose of the expensive guitar in a display case is to attract customers, who marvel at its beauty before buying a set of strings.

Cynics say female staff perform a similar role.

[jazzkritter]

Could have ripped through some Stairway, like they do in Guitar Center.

[wintermoon]

Double pickups. A rare version, Norlin era?

I think around '63 a couple yrs after it's introduction. Not rare.

[Stringswinger]

I checked out that guitar on their website. It is a 67 (not an 87) and has a couple of electronics issues. I would say it is priced fairly. I would check the nut size. A few Smith's were made with the narrow nut during those years (by special order).

[ARGewirtz]

I checked out that guitar on their website. It is a 67 (not an 87) and has a couple of electronics issues. I would say it is priced fairly. I would check the nut size. A few Smith's were made with the narrow nut during those years (by special order).

Wow, I guess my 67-year old peepers couldn't tell the difference between a 6 and an 8, but now that I expanded the pic to supersize I can see the price tag does list the year as 1967; my bad .

[ARGewirtz]

The purpose of the expensive guitar in a display case is to attract customers, who marvel at its beauty before buying a set of strings.

Cynics say female staff perform a similar role.

I understand the psychology of big retail; however, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Considering the target customer for this store they would attract far more customers for strings by replacing the beautiful, vintage jazz box with a sweaty, concert-worn John Mayer tee shirt or a lock of Jimmy Page's hair. Sammy Ash happens to be a true guitar lover and real fan of the instrument, so if scratching his itch and displaying some eye candy for me to enjoy while I drift to the string section for an extra set, well that's ok with me .

[floatingpickup]

That’s a beautiful guitar. I knew it was earlier than ‘87 when I first looked at the picture, because that’s the early style tailpiece.
Keith

[2bornot2bop]

Guitars are like houses, which are all priced at the going rate! That guitar sold for $5k in 2011. Crazy market.

[73Fender]

I bought a Strat at that store when Sam Ash had a blowout on American Standards in only two colors Candy Cola or Charcoal Frost. Was able to choose from like 19 of them. $750. FWIW.

[YUri Dingleberry]

Worked there in the early 90’s… I saw one jazz box accidentally roll through there… wine red Wes Mo L5

apparently it took a wrong turn at Albuquerque to end up in the Edison store … me and the guitar manager marveled at the thing… Closed the case… an elephant went to Manhattan … or White Plains I can’t remember.

I believe we were being beaten in the head by shredder guitar players at the time… I’m sure things have not changed.

frankly I’m shocked to see such a thing in such a place myself, lol Thanks for sharing… definitely took me down memory lane

[powerwagonjohn]

I found my 1952 Gibson L-4 complete with a deArmond and original case, all in the proverbial 'under the bed' condition in my local Guitar Center. The brown case is so nice at first I thought it was a re-issue case. You just never know what you will find.
Thanks John

[Hammertone]

I dig the Invisible Man handle.

[powerwagonjohn]

Yea, the leather started to crumble with use so bandaged it up, like an invisible man! I never thought of it that way but if I took it off it would probably would be invisible!
Thanks john

[jumpnblues]

Oh my!! I wonder how much?