Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 Gibson J-50, Natural
1956 Gibson J-50, Serial Number V6796 10
This 1956 Gibson J-50 is a wonderfully worn example of what 70 years of regular picking looks like on a Gibson flat-top. This particular model shows heavy use through a beautiful ambered natural finish, has been fully serviced, and is ready for another lifetime of making music.
This guitar shows heavy, honest playwear throughout, with significant pick wear into the spruce top on the treble side of the soundhole and near the base of the pickguard on the treble side of the bridge. The body of the guitar shows nicks and dings throughout, alongside heavy lacquer checking. The back of the neck shows additional playwear, though none affects the playability of the instrument.
The neck is a beautiful, full, Chunky C profile measuring .90” at the 1st fret and 1.01” at the 9th, and very much a typical carve for this era. The dark, unbound Brazilian rosewood fretboard shows light playwear grooves beneath the B and high E strings between frets 1–6, with no impact on playability. The 14th fret inlay was replaced at some point in the guitar’s history with a mother-of-pearl dot differing from the original celluloid markers, possibly during a past neck set.
The guitar has been refretted with medium jumbo fretwire and a new bone nut has been installed. The Brazilian rosewood bridge is likely a replacement, but was neatly installed, functions as it should, and is the correct "belly up" style. The celluloid pickguard was reglued during prior maintenance. Internally, the guitar was inspected; a loose brace was reglued, and a small but typical crack in the top where the pickguard meets the fretboard was properly cleated and remains stable.
Filled holes from a previously installed set of tuners are present, and the guitar has since been returned to its original spec with a set of aged reproduction Kluson® Deluxe single-line, 3-on-a-plate white-button tuners. A set of black bridge pins with white dots has been installed alongside a new bone saddle. An additional white plastic strap button was added to the treble side of the heel in a standard location.
Tonally, this is exactly what you want from a mid-50s Gibson slope-shoulder acoustic—dry, mid-forward, and with strong projection and clarity. Weighing just 4.40 pounds, it is lightweight, lively, and full of personality.
The guitar includes its original chipboard case and ships in a new historic Lifton® brown-and-pink hardshell case.
This instrument has received a professional setup and a thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Gibson flat-top acoustic, all Gibson Certified Vintage flat-top acoustic guitars released in 2026 will include a commemorative Certificate of Authenticity featuring the official “100 Years of Flat-Tops” logo.
Weight: 4.40 lbs. / 2.00 kg
Neck Depth: 1st Fret: .90”, 9th Fret: 1.01”
Original: $6,999.00
-70%$6,999.00
$2,099.70Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
1956 Gibson J-50, Serial Number V6796 10
This 1956 Gibson J-50 is a wonderfully worn example of what 70 years of regular picking looks like on a Gibson flat-top. This particular model shows heavy use through a beautiful ambered natural finish, has been fully serviced, and is ready for another lifetime of making music.
This guitar shows heavy, honest playwear throughout, with significant pick wear into the spruce top on the treble side of the soundhole and near the base of the pickguard on the treble side of the bridge. The body of the guitar shows nicks and dings throughout, alongside heavy lacquer checking. The back of the neck shows additional playwear, though none affects the playability of the instrument.
The neck is a beautiful, full, Chunky C profile measuring .90” at the 1st fret and 1.01” at the 9th, and very much a typical carve for this era. The dark, unbound Brazilian rosewood fretboard shows light playwear grooves beneath the B and high E strings between frets 1–6, with no impact on playability. The 14th fret inlay was replaced at some point in the guitar’s history with a mother-of-pearl dot differing from the original celluloid markers, possibly during a past neck set.
The guitar has been refretted with medium jumbo fretwire and a new bone nut has been installed. The Brazilian rosewood bridge is likely a replacement, but was neatly installed, functions as it should, and is the correct "belly up" style. The celluloid pickguard was reglued during prior maintenance. Internally, the guitar was inspected; a loose brace was reglued, and a small but typical crack in the top where the pickguard meets the fretboard was properly cleated and remains stable.
Filled holes from a previously installed set of tuners are present, and the guitar has since been returned to its original spec with a set of aged reproduction Kluson® Deluxe single-line, 3-on-a-plate white-button tuners. A set of black bridge pins with white dots has been installed alongside a new bone saddle. An additional white plastic strap button was added to the treble side of the heel in a standard location.
Tonally, this is exactly what you want from a mid-50s Gibson slope-shoulder acoustic—dry, mid-forward, and with strong projection and clarity. Weighing just 4.40 pounds, it is lightweight, lively, and full of personality.
The guitar includes its original chipboard case and ships in a new historic Lifton® brown-and-pink hardshell case.
This instrument has received a professional setup and a thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Gibson flat-top acoustic, all Gibson Certified Vintage flat-top acoustic guitars released in 2026 will include a commemorative Certificate of Authenticity featuring the official “100 Years of Flat-Tops” logo.
Weight: 4.40 lbs. / 2.00 kg
Neck Depth: 1st Fret: .90”, 9th Fret: 1.01”
