Gibson Johnny Smith

Gibson Johnny Smith Guitar ( 1961-1989 )

During the 50s Johnny Smith used d'angelico guitars then became a guild endorser , however he did not like the guitar, in 1960 johnny smith turned his loyalty to gibson and offered an

ultimatum so to speak , he told gibson that he would be delighted to sign a contract to use his name but if the guitar does not meet his standards the deal is off .

In late 1960 two sample guitars were built according to johnny smiths' specs , he wanted a fully acoustic archtop with a suspended floating pickup . Gibson decided to use the mini humbucker (PU-120) .

The johnny smith guitar was the first gibson guitar to be fitted with this pick up , it was mounted at the very end of the neck .

In early 1961 one of the 2 sample guitars were sent to johnny smith , he made few minor changes and immediatly approved them . In 1961 the Gibson johnny smith guitar was introduced at $795 ( Gibson's most expensive guitar at the time ) along side with the popular barney kessel guitar .
 
 The guitar was an archtop guitar , had a single rounded cutaway ,one floating mini humbucking pickup, gold hardware , multiple binding front and back , L-5 style tailpiece with model name , split-block fingerboard inlays and were made in natural or sunburst finishes .

In 1963 to 1989 they also introduced the gibson johnny smith double ( basically the same guitar but with 2 humbucking pickups , all johnny smith guitars were discontinued in 1989 . ( Known also as the Gibson JS model )

Vintage Price Value For 2009 :
1961 - 1962 > $9000 to $9400 ( Johnny Smith )
1963 - 1969 > $6500 to $8900
1970 - 1989 > $5800 to $6800
1961 - 1969 > $6700 to $10300 ( Johnny Smith Double )
1970 - 1989 > $6000 to $7000