GIBSON EVERLY BROTHERS (J-180)

  • Gibson Everly Brothers flat top (J-180)

Overview

Brand name: 

Product: 

  • acoustic guitars

Series name: 

Dates of manufacture: 

1962 to 1972
1986

In 1962, Gibson collaborated with The Everly Brothers to produce the Everly Brothers Flat top. It had a thin J-185-style body with an adjustable bridge. Two unusual features on this model were the star-shaped inlays on the rosewood fingerboard, and the large double tortoise shell pickguards (replaced by black pickguards from 1968 onwards). These large pickguards covered most of the top of the body to such extent that the tone was limited. The standard finish on the guitar was black, but some were natural or sunburst finish. In 1963 only around 45 were made with a natural top and walnut back and sides but from 1968 natural top and walnut back and sides was the standard finish.

The Everly Brothers Flattop was discontinued in 1972 after around 440 had been made, but was reissued by Gibson in 1986 under the name J-180. In 1992 it was again called The Everly Brothers guitar until 1994 when the name went back to the J-180.

The Everly Brothers used these guitars in the 1960s but there were many other notable players (see the list below).

Specifications (20)

Body

Body back materialmaple body back
Body sides materialmaple body sides
Body stylejumbo-style body
Body top materialspruce body top
Pickguard materialblack pickguard, tortoiseshell pickguard
Pickguard shape2 separate pickguards
Soundholeround soundhole

Neck

Body fretNeck joins body at 14th fret
Neck jointset neck
Neck materialmahogany neck
Number of frets20 fret
Peghead (headstock)black face headstock
Tuner layoutthree-each-side

Hardware

Bridgeadjustable bridge

Fretboard

Fingerboard inlay materialpearl fingerboard inlay material
Fingerboard materialrosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard position markersstar fingerboard position markers

General

Finish colorsblack finish, natural finish, red finish
Finish effectssunburst finish
Number of strings6 strings

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Reviews (1)

GIBSON EVERLY BROTHERS (J-180) reviewed by Anonymous

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Love it

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Players (14)

1 Comment

Everly Brothers J-180

Mike Voltz made me a one-of-a-kind guitar in 1987, based on this design... I have written hits around the world on this fine instrument...