There is some checking along the center of the spruce but the seam is still tight. The guitar is totally crack free. All parts are 100% original including the gold Grover tuners, "mustache bridge", and flower motif pickguard. Serial # is 890321. Back of the body has light checking, but no scratches or beltwear. Back of the neck is pristine. Face of the body has a few minor dings but just a tiny amount of pickwear along the top edge of the pickguard between the soundhole and the bridge. Overall condition is excellent; I would rate it conservatively 8.6/10.

The action is very comfortable and the neck angle is great. There's virtually no fretwear. As you'd expect, the sound of the guitar is large. There is a booming low end, but it does not drown out nice mids and highs. The tone is reminiscent of a 50's vintage J-200.

And, of course, there is the wood. The neck has some of the flamiest maple I've seen on any Gibson guitar. The back of the body has some amazing birdseye and cloud maple. I've seen this type of wood on late 1940's Gibson archtops, but never on a 60's J-200.

Obviously, if this guitar were pristine it would easily bring £4,000. Our price is under £2,800.