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Gibson J-160E Original Vintage Sunburst
Features
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Fretboard: Rosewood
Warm, dark tone, excellent resonance. -
Top: Spruce
Bright tone, excellent projection. -
Back / Sides: Mahogany
Warm tone, full sustain -
Saddle width search: Middle (43 - 46 mm)
Saddle width 43-46 mm for balanced playability. -
Neck: Mahogany
Rich tone, increased sustain.
The Gibson J‑160E is a true legend that needs little introduction to many guitarists. For those not familiar with its history: it's most commonly associated with the Beatles, who used this model extensively, including during their iconic first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and on many recordings from the early part of their career. The J‑160E was introduced in 1954 as Gibson's second acoustic model with built‑in electronics (after the CF‑100E released in 1951), employing a P‑90 pickup without a cover mounted through the top just below the fretboard. Although it has a round‑shoulder shape similar to the Southern Jumbo and the J‑45™, it was conceived from the start as a dual‑purpose model that should work both electrically and acoustically, with a bit more emphasis on the electric performance.
Now Gibson proudly presents the J‑160E Original, a new model based on this vintage classic that has been improved with upgrades and enhancements to make the instrument even better both acoustically and electrically. The back and sides of this guitar are made from solid mahogany. Instead of the laminated top and ladder bracing used on vintage models, the J‑160E Original features a solid Sitka spruce top braced with our traditional scalloped X‑bracing to deliver a full, rounded acoustic tone when played unplugged. The mahogany neck has a comfortable SlimTaper™ profile for fast playing and is joined to the body at the 15th fret with our dovetail neck‑to‑body joint. As with all Gibson acoustics, a hide glue assembly is used for maximum resonance and transfer of tone. The rosewood fretboard with binding is fitted with 20 standard frets and trapezoid pearloid inlays. The belly‑up bridge is also rosewood and is fitted with a bone saddle and TUSQ® bridge pins. The nut is bone, and Gotoh® Keystone tuning machines in nickel provide quick, precise and stable tuning so you spend more time playing and less time tuning.
Like its vintage predecessors, the J‑160E Original is fitted with a pickup, but instead of the old P‑90 found in earlier versions, the J‑160E Original features a P‑90 DC pickup wired to top‑mounted master volume and tone controls, both equipped with gold Top Hat knobs with silver reflectors in the '60s style and wired to a side‑mounted output jack. The P‑90 DC delivers the classic P‑90 tone but without the hum, for improved, noise‑free electric performance. A Gibson hard shell case is also included to keep the J‑160E Original safe, whether you're heading to a gig at a local pub, a jam at a friend's place, or out to conquer the music world. Don't miss the chance to own this truly iconic acoustic‑electric guitar, now sounding better than ever!
- Strings: 6 string
- Country of Origin: USA
- Strings thickness ex factory: .012 - .053
- Factory Stringing: Gibson Coated Phosphor Bronze
- Body Shape: Slope Shoulder Jumbo
- Construction / Acoustic: Solid
- Top Bracing: Traditional Scalloped X-Bracing
- Scale Length: 24,75" (629 mm)
- Cutaway: no
- Top: Sitka Spruce
- Back / Sides: Mahogany
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Saddle/Cross piece inlay: Bone
- Body finish: High Gloss
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: SlimTaper
- Neck finish: High Gloss
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Fretboard Inlays: Pearloid Trapezoid
- Nut Width: 43,8 mm
- Tuning Machines: Gotoh Keystone
- Pickup Details: P-90 DC
- Pre-amp system: P-90 DC
- Controls: 1x volume, 1x tone
- Color/ Finish: Vintage Sunburst
- Finish: High Gloss
- Finish: High Gloss
- Includes: Hardcase
The American Gibson Guitar Corporation, founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, first became known for the production of mandolins and banjos. Today the company’s headquarters are in Nashville, Tennessee, and Gibson is one of the world’s most renowned and respected manufacturers of electric guitars.
The model Les Paul, named after its creator Lester William Polsfuss, is one of the most famous and best‑selling electric guitar shapes of all time and established the single‑cut guitar form, which has been copied, adopted and reinterpreted by numerous other manufacturers. The Les Paul is mainly prized for its sound, characterised as warm and full. The humbucker pickup largely responsible for that sound, in its now common design, was developed by Seth Lover at Gibson.
In the early 1960s the Gibson SG appeared as another solid‑body electric from Gibson. Originally intended as the successor to the Les Paul, it became — helped by Angus Young of AC/DC — another rock‑history icon and is the basis for the double‑cutaway guitar type.
With the Flying V and the Explorer Gibson is responsible for two body shapes that, although they were far ahead of their time when introduced in the late 1950s, have over the years also achieved legendary status. They still serve as the foundation for a host of heavy guitars today, for example from makers such as Jackson or ESP.
The Gibson Custom Shop produces custom orders, high‑quality one‑offs and precise replicas of famous models and legendary instrument years. These are often subjected to an artificial ageing process called relicing.
Almost as long as the company has existed, acoustic guitars have also been produced. The J‑45, the Hummingbird, the L‑00 and the SJ‑200 are among the world’s most beloved steel‑string acoustics and were the instruments of choice for Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and John Lennon.
Besides the instruments already mentioned, you can of course also buy picks, bags and cases or merchandise from Gibson with us.
We are particularly proud to host a Gibson Flagship Store in our Frankfurt branch. There you’ll find not only a large selection and exclusive models to try out in person, but you’ll also benefit from the expertise of our Gibson‑trained and certified staff when choosing the perfect guitar.
