J-160E Peace Model

[timmer]

So, I was on the phone with an MF rep inquiring about a mixup in my latest order and he asked if there was anything else I needed. I asked if there was any deals on a J-160E and whatta you know, they did.

It was the Peace model, painstakingly detailed after John Lennon's after he sanded it down. It was a scratch and dent, but there was nothing wrong with it at all, someone probably returned it.

Anyway, it plays like a dream and has that sound we're all familiar with. I got it for a ridiculously low price. There are several models of this guitar around and this is the one with a limited run of 750 made.

I'm going to try and get an original ceramic saddle for it but that may take a while as they don't show up on eBay that often.

Here are a few pics:

[sean79]

Nice. How does that pickup sound?

[bluesfordan]

nice. do you have it yet? what is the neck like? I've been thinking of getting one of those.

[timmer]

Originally Posted by sean79

Nice. How does that pickup sound?

Well, it sounds good but - I just got an AC30-CC2 and I'm still trying to figure out how to setup the amp for the various guitars I have and the sounds I want to hear. It may take me a while to truly dial it in for that guitar. I like having volume and tone controls on it and where the output jack is located.

Originally Posted by bluesfordan

nice. do you have it yet? what is the neck like? I've been thinking of getting one of those.

I would say it is a medium D shape, very comfortable. Although I'm not one pays much attention or is bothered by neck shape, unless it's a sharp V. The finish, binding and frets are perfectly fitted with no imperfections felt when sliding my hand up and down either side.

When I mentioned J-160E to the MF rep I was thinking more in line with the solid top sunburst model, but I ended up with this one for less than the SB.

Does anyone know if using PB strings on this will reduce the magnetic influence of the pickup? The strings on it now are silvery and what I have (on hand) are Martin MEC-12's that I use on my 000-28EC.

[zombywoof]

Your a brave man. Buying any Gibson acosutic you have not tried out first ain't a crap shoot - it is like playing Russian Roulette with five bullets in the chamber. Bozeman is notorious for lack of consistency in their guitars and even with their more expensive guitars it often takes some time to find a keeper. But when ya do ya got yerself one sweet little geetar,

The neck on that guitar, if accurate, will have the thinner profile Gibson came out with in 1960. Quite a bit slimmer than the earlier roundback profile.

The plywood top was introduced the second year the guitar was available to try and cut down on the feedback problem the original solid top version had.

Enjoy.

[timmer]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Your a brave man. Buying any Gibson acosutic you have not tried out first ain't a crap shoot - it is like playing Russian Roulette with five bullets in the chamber. Bozeman is notorious for lack of consistency in their guitars and even with their more expensive guitars it often takes some time to find a keeper. But when ya do ya got yerself one sweet little geetar.

With the liberal MF return policy I felt I could not go wrong.

Originally Posted by zombywoof

The neck on that guitar, if accurate, will have the thinner profile Gibson came out with in 1960. Quite a bit slimmer than the earlier roundback profile.

It is a slim shape, but more of a D profile as compared to my Tele's C shape.

Originally Posted by zombywoof

The plywood top was introduced the second year the guitar was available to try and cut down on the feedback problem the original solid top version had. Enjoy.

As I mentioned, I'm still experimenting with the new amp so I haven't cranked it plugged in yet. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Lennon's J-160 leaning against an amp that created the feedback on I Feel Fine?

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by timmer

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Lennon's J-160 leaning against an amp that created the feedback on I Feel Fine?

That is the story I had heard. I think the problem Gibson ran into with those guitars is you could just as easily buy an SJ or J-45 and slap a DeArmond 210 pickup across the soundhole (I still do it). You then had a solid top, X braced guitar that you could plug in but also sounded great unplugged. You did have the cable coming out of the soundhole though unless you spent the money and had the end pin replaced with a jack.