The justjazzguitars collection of vintage and rare jazz archtops.






Rare, Vintage, Jazz, Archtop, Guitar, Gibson,
Byrdland, ES-125, ES 165, ES 300, ES L4 CES, ES 175, Guitars for
Sale, Guitar Collection,
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The Collection. As always,
for more details click on the
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The Gibson Gallery. |
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#001 Gibson '65
Byrdland.
This is where
it all began - with a retirement present to
myself! A superb
example of a Natural '65 Byrdland - the ultimate spec!
It was all original, with its original case, and in
9.5
condition with known provenance. Including my
ownership, it
has been in just three collections over the past 30 years.
This was when I learned that a great guitar really helps you
play better, however, this is one of the very narrow neck examples so a little tight to
finger near the nut.
Featured in Guitar magazine Aug 2003.
Now:
Bought by an investor/player. |
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#007 Gibson ES-125T.
Quite a find,
this. A one owner guitar from Alabama. Georgia, in
its original case, in perfect MINT condition.
When I opened the case for the first time everything smelled
of ripe tobacco leaves (not tobacco smoke). Magical! This was my first
experience of a real P90 and I loved it. I played it
acoustic all that summer in the shade of the apple trees at the bottom of the
garden. In the evening I would play
it through my Polytone Mini-Brute II. The perfect Deep South
Blues guitar.
Now: Sold to make way for
my second Byrdland. |
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#008 Gibson ES-165.
A modern
Gibson, this is the single
pickup version of Herb's 175 and designated "Herb Ellis" as
a tribute. A great guitar this, very
jazzy and a beautiful thing to look at. Massive flame all over!
There is something about the 175's, they are so easy to
play. With this in my hands, my playing just
became more natural - a little more jazzy.
Choosing the
right guitar is so important.
Now:
Sold to a friend to help fund my #009 Byrdland. |
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#009 Gibson Byrdland.
A gorgeous
guitar and a real Byrdland but heavier and somehow not as
easy to play as my '65.
It was
around this time that I discovered the joy of playing a
Vestax D'Angelico. Nothing else has
come close since.
Now:
I was able to buy my NYL-5 on the strength of this. |
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#022 Gibson ES-300N.
Very special.
A genuine 1946, Mint example with a single P90.
The first year of production after WW11 and Gibson made just
a few examples of their top of the range instruments as they
re-established production facilities.
Very, very rare. Michael Jones, who
is highly respected and who values Gibsons for the Blue
Book, says this is the best 300 he ever has seen.
Now:
Bought by someone who just did n't appreciate its importance.
SAD! |
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#028 Gibson L4 CES.
The L4 is
essentially an ES-175 with a carved Spruce top and lots of
gold. I thought the carved top would be a big
step up from the Herb Ellis ..... but I just could n't get rid of massive feedback!
Shame, it was a lovely guitar but I always felt I had to
hold back.
Now:
It went to a very happy buyer. |
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#037 Gibson ES-175 STEVE HOWE.
It had been
given to a Gibson endorsee at the end of a celebrity gig
for Gibson's VIPs and record industry chiefs. As
he only played flat-tops he kept it as an investment and
raise some cash when he was in need.
On stage that night it was played by Jimmy Vivino (see Jazzy
Stuff).
So now I had a
mint Steve Howe that had been played for just 30 mins.
This was a really, really nice guitar but the tone was just
a little too "bright" for my jazzy taste.
Now:
Being played regularly in Sweden. |
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#039 Gibson ES-175 CUSTOM.
I signed up for a weekend Jazz Guitar Workshop and took my
Guild Stuart along. When I got there
everybody else had 175s. There had to be
something in this so I started looking for a nice one.
This had been a present for a 12 year old California girl
who could n't handle it so I managed to negotiate a good
deal. There it was - a genuine
Custom 175, virtually unplayed.
We got along well until I found #053 Guild Benedetto
Masterbuilt Stuart. Full circle!
Now:
Somewhere in London. |
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#040 Gibson ES-175 Anniversary Special.
Another
California guitar, reputed to have
been played by Tom Petty! I just could n't resist this
stunning Black Beauty example. Great to
look at but not quite as jazzy as #039.
Now:
Played and gigged regularly not far from here. |
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#043 Gibson ES
JAZZ MASTER by Dan Torres.
This is a stunning
guitar.
Absolutely unique,
it looks, plays and sounds amazing ......
and it has a "Jazz Switch".
Custom ordered, and based on an ES
Artist, it has a completely re-worked circuit by Dan Torres
of California. I just had to own a
guitar with a "Jazz Switch". It
is my "Blues Baby"
Now :
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#045 Gibson ES ARTIST.
A genuine,
unmolested Artist in perfect working condition.
Very few were made and only a handful have survived. Very,
very rare!
It has some highly sophisticated MOOG active electronics
on board,
giving "Compression", "Expansion" and "Bright" effects
in any combination of pickup selection.
It takes you right back to Steely Dan.
Awesome!
Now:
Recording in Redditch |
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#079
Epiphone Elitist Byrdland.
I adore Byrdlands -
they are special, and the Elitist Byrdland is legendary.
Although bearing the Epiphone badge, Gibson believed
this Custom series to be every bit as good as their own
model.
I had to try for
myself. It took me two years to find
this one, in Texas, but it was worth it.
Is it as good as the
original? ..... click on the pic!
Now:
In professional hands.06 |
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#091 Gibson
Tal Farlow Custom.
My interest in jazz
began with a second hand copy of Tal Farlow's Impressions.
Its a great LP and a showcase for Tal's amazing style and
technique. Don't hesitate if you ever find
a copy!
A always knew I would
have a Tal Farlow at some stage.
There were not many made - just 215 made between
1962 - 69.
I have seen a few of them but not many in good condition.
I will keep looking but, in the meanwhile, I was
offered this 2009 Custom Shop re-issue and couldn't refuse.
I was very pleasantly surprised. Its a great
instrument.
Now:
With a very happy new owner. |
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Back to The Collection. |
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