Gibson J300 any info please

Subject: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 06:44 AM

Anyone out there have any information about a Gibson J300 acoustic guitar.Does anyone have one? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 08:10 AM

IF its one of the good ones its a great box - If its one of the bad ones , get a Tanglewood and use the rest of the cash to buy a house !!

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Once Famous
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 12:27 PM

I have never heard of a J300. A famous top of the line model is known as the J200.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 12:42 PM

A J300 is a pre war gibson and the sound is excellent, epiphone also made a model called the J300, a copy of the gibson in name only sound was garbage.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Once Famous
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 06:36 PM

Guest, you are wrong on this.

There was a Gibson J300 but it was extremely obscure and was introduced in 1970 and produced for only one year.

I have had to refer to my personal library to clear this up.

In the book "Gibson's Fabulous Flat Top Guitars: An Illustrated History & Guide" by Eldin Whitford, David Vinopral, & Dan Erlewine published in 1994 by GPI books, the only J300 model made by Gibson is described as follows:

"Two other models, both offshoots of the basic J-200 came out of the Kalamzoo factory in that decade. The J-250R produced from about 1970 to 1978, was a standard issue J-200, but with rosewodd back and sides.

As far as Epiphone goes, I have no information other than they were not part of the Gibson organization until they were purchased by Gibson in 1957.

The second model, the J-300 Artist, proved a more interesting variation, although it lasted only a year after it's introduction in 1970. This striking guitar, also with rosewood sides and back, differs visually with its delicate, fleurs-de-lis gracing outside of the bridge; the lower bout of the pickguard, and the peghead. Sadly, this J-200 upgrade sold too poorly to justify it's existance."

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:26 AM

According to Gibson the J300 never went into production.
One of the referance books I have say only the prototypes were ever made in 1969/70.
As any one actually seen one?

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 11:56 AM

As Cyril Lord said, if its less than half a crown, that's the one!

Are you going to buy it Monsieur le Stump?

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 03:25 AM

Still seeking information.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Mooh
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:28 AM

According to the Blue Book there was also a J-300 "similar to J-250R, except has 12 strings, 6 per side tuners. Mfd. 1973 only."

For what it's worth.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:01 PM

I seem to recall reading that Gibson put out a limited series of a guitar that was essentially a smaller bodied model of a J-200. Nothing else was scaled down, just the body; it was like an inch or two narrower in the lower bout. Don't recall the model number. I'll have to borrow the book from the library again.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:30 PM

Wasnt that the J185

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:58 PM

Probably correct. Sounds like it.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 09 Jan 05 - 12:19 PM

Not getting very far with this, there must be someone out there that knows something possitive, as any one actualy seen one? or knows someone who owns one?

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Once Famous
Date: 09 Jan 05 - 01:12 PM

burntstump, my post of Jan 2 directly from the Gibson book is the most and best information that you are probably going to get out of this.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jan 05 - 01:29 PM

I think your best bet at this point is the info available from the Gibson book and maybe a call/letter to George Gruhn of Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. You might find some info at Elderly or Mandolin Brothers but Gruhn would be your best bet. Remember though that George Gruhn looks out for Number One first.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Jan 05 - 11:13 PM

Here's all it says on the J-300 in Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars (published 1999), which I borrowed from the library today:

J-300 Artist:
17" wide
rosewood back and sides
J-200 bridge and pickguard
fleur-de-lis peghead inlay
Available: 1970-71



Not much, unfortunately. Martin Gibson's post was more informative. Sounds like it was basically a J-200 with a few cosmetic frills.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 12 Jan 05 - 12:42 PM

Dear cinders It seems that youre having as much success as I,m having with my Bs thread on whos been to Durban.
Tell you what I'll refresh yours and you refresh mine. Best offer all day or what!!

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 11:48 AM

This proving to be harder than I anticipated, come on you Gibson enthusiasts you must know something

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Once Famous
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 12:36 PM

burnstump, I have given you the facts directly from the definitive book on gibson flat top acoustic guitars.

I AM a Gibson enthusiast. You are holding our for info that's not any deeper.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 09:52 AM

Still trying to find someone that either owns one or as seen one.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 11:51 AM

Well I've been around here since '98 with 20,000 posts and a lot of time either posting to or reading guitar/instrument threads and I know about what everyone likes and plays and who's who around here.......And I'll tell you that I don't think the damn thing has ever been even mentioned although I haven't searched (I assume you did). You can keep on whackin' yourself or just figure your stump has burnt down to a nub but it don't look none too promising here iffen ya' ask me.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: CraigS
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 02:56 PM

I don't know much more than anybody else - but I can add a little to the discussion.
The Gibson J200 was first produced around 1938, when it had back and sides of Brazilian rosewood. Gibson switched to maple when it was hard to get the rosewood due to WWII. The smaller model Cluin is referring to is the Everley Brothers guitar, which has two pickguards (J series only have one), and was available in natural with black pickguards and black with white pickguards. There were other models in the J range from time to time - there was a J100, which was like a J200 without the fancy inlays, and my memory says there was a budget model J50 which had no pickguard and a cedar top - although it must be remembered that a lot of Gibson accoustics were supposed to be sold with self-adhesive pickguards in the late 60s/early 70s, and often got to the dealer without a pickguard. J250 and J300 were essentially an effort to make something like the pre-war J200, which is, incidentally, on a price level with a 30s Martin D45 if you find one. Gibson's accoustics around 1970 were overpriced and generally not very nice, so most real guitarists wouldn't have bothered placing an order for a J300 (the J250 and J300 were only made to order, and it took a minimum of 5 orders(I think)before production could start).
As a consequence, production of these guitars would be very low, and might only have been the few guitars built to display at trade shows.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: John Hardly
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 01:16 PM

Man, I had one. I sold mine to Justa Picker. I heard he sold it to Mark Clark. I'm not sure if Mark still has it -- it's been a cold winter so far, and firewood is really scarce in Iowa this year. Firewood is so scarce that Cedar Rapids Iowa was seriously thinking about chopping down the tree in the center of town until someone from Minnesota pointed out to them that the tree in the center of town is actually made of stainless steel.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Justa Picker
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 03:12 PM

LOL!

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Justa Picker
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 03:13 PM

Friend,
I'd suggest visiting a forum more dedicated to Gibson guitar discussions. Just enter "Gibson J-300" in Google or any other search engines. If there's any info out there, then you'll find it. If not, what Catspaw said.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:00 PM

When I was kidnapped by aliens last summer (after the not-too-unpleasant anal probing... they used a very small probe and lots of lubricant as well as getting me drunk), I was forced into a Pass-The-Axe session with Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhodes, Eddie Cochrane, Jerry Garcia, Nick drake, Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Mark Bolan. The guitar we passed around was a Gibson J-300. It was kinda beat-up and smelled a bit like my grandmother's house, but the action and tone was nice.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: John Hardly
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:03 PM

Man, I hate that "grandmother's house" smell. It can really ruin a good guitar. Or a J300.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:27 PM

How about blood spatters? My main working guitar (a Guild) has brownish dried blood spots on the inside back from a gig where I tore open a finger and had to keep playing. Many of my buddies have similar war wounds on their instruments. Doesn't hurt the machine any; I just look at it as evidence of a blood sacrifice.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: CraigS
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:31 PM

I think you're getting mixed up with the models again, Cluin. I drank some Belgian Lambic beer to get into that session, and it was definitely the Everley Brothers model that Elvis used in the film Blue Hawaii - Stevie Marriott told me so. He said that he and Gerry Garcia always used it when they were jamming.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: John Hardly
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:53 PM

Never use a blood-stained Guild guitar as a murder weapon. The DNA would be quickly traced back to you and you'd be caught. Unless you're from West Virginia. Then it wouldn't matter because all the DNA is the same in West Virginia. Wack away.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:56 PM

Yep, JH. And no dental records in WV either (I hear).

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: John Hardly
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 04:59 PM

Yeah, it's been very hard for McGruff the Crime Dog there. Seems even he can't take a bite out of crime.

What a concept. A whole State where every crime committed is a "domestic" crime.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 03:57 AM

It would appear the thread as been lost, can we get back to the original enquiry please

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:16 AM

No, we can't. You are obviously a man who cannot take "We don't know jackshit" for an answer. Find another place more closely affiliated with Gibson and have your OCD attack there. THanks for stopping by, now bye-bye. Have a nice day.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:25 AM

Gibsons have had there day, they are now overated, many on the market now that are equal if not better.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:46 AM

Aw, burntstump was just refreshing the thread in hopes of as much info as he can get. But he/she shouls also realize that thread drift refreshes the thread too.

Maybe someone will happen by who can give a first hand report on an elusive sighting of the rare Gibson J-300....


"I was a-flyfishin' in the Missouri River one May mornin' in `84 when I heard a rustlin' sound behint me. I turnt `round and damnt if there warn't a whole fam'ly o' Jay Three Hunnerts a-movin slow through the unnergrowth. They was a Momma an' a Poppa an' three little uns scootin' along. I jus' stood there a-starin' an' a-wishin' I'da thunk to bring my cam'ra with me, when they spotted me out midstream. The big Papa Jay puffed hisse'f up big an' plumb fired a hollerin' D flat diminished seventh chord at me and stayed there strummin' furious till the doe an' the kits was safe up in the treeline, then he follered `em fast. Never seen string nor fret of `em again. Now they's some folks claim they doesn't exist, but I knows better. `Course I kep' the story to myse'f for a long time. But I don' care no more. I knows what I seen!"

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:46 AM

I had one of these guitars, it was rubbish, so i swapped it for a hamster.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 06:17 AM

Is that the same one you wear on your head?

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 06:34 AM

You are right jOhn, I should have kept the hamster. How is Brenda by the way?

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 12:40 PM

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 03:33 AM

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 03:39 AM

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM

Burnstump, if you were my child I would smack the shit out of you.

There were only a few of the things made. They were very expensive. That means only real hard-core Gibson freaks with a lot of money would have bought them. When you think hardcore Gibson freaks with a lot of money, think Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Think country music, not folk music. Mudcatters do not own J300s. They own J45s.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 11:46 AM

I wouldn't mind one of either, meself...

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 03:25 AM

Hi Bee Dubja

How do you know there was only a few ever made?
I have been searching for 30 years and no one has seen one or knows some one who has one.Even Mr Gruan has never seen one.
Take no notice of the books, they all just mimic the first one who said there were only a few ever made.
Gibsons stance is they have no production records to relate to, all they will say is that a proto-type was made in 1969 to take to the Trade Show in Munich.
If they did go into production why as no one come up with a "yes" I know of one and heres a picture to prove it.

By the way I look forward to the spanking!

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 01:17 PM

Burntstump - What did you want to know about the J-300 ? Specs, woods, current prices ? Let me know what you're after and I'll tell you everything I know. Thanks

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 01:53 PM

I am seeking information:
when and how many made, anyone actually seen one or knows the where abouts of one. Where can I get one.
What wood was used etc.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 09:19 AM

Ten months later, maybe some of the nutters have passed on to the jam session in the sky, someone out there must have some information about a Gibson J300 6 string acoustic.

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: Amos
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 09:26 AM

Burnstump:

What information are you looking for?

A

Subject: RE: Gibson J300 any info please
From: burntstump
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 01:52 PM

Anything at all that can onfirm they were made, do you know someone that has one?