1957 Gibson J-160E, Serial Number U 22619
Introduced in 1954 and continuing the design pioneered by the small-body CF-100E, the J-160E was our first production model to combine a full-sized flat-top acoustic with an integrated pickup system—bridging the gap between traditional acoustic tone and stage amplification. This 1957 example represents the earliest generation of that design, featuring a ladder-braced laminated spruce top, single P-90 pickup at the neck, and adjustable ceramic bridge saddle. Its naturally mid-forward voice and quick response helped establish the plugged-in acoustic sound that became a defining part of popular music in the following decade, perhaps most notably in the hands of George Harrison and John Lennon of The Beatles.
Finished in a vibrant original sunburst, this J-160E is an all-original example apart from an aged set of reproduction Kluson Deluxe single-line, single-ring tuners. The guitar is overall in very good shape, with moderate lacquer checking and light nicks and dings throughout. On the back of the peghead is a small “2” stamp indicating a factory second—likely due to the three heavy vertical checks on the body. These checks appear to be veneer separations in the grain patterns of the topmost spruce laminate. They are fully stable and purely cosmetic.
The guitar has received a few small repairs, including one re-glued and cleated brace and a lightly filled back repair on the bass-side lower bout, all neatly executed by the team at Glaser Instruments. The original P-90 pickup and wiring harness remain untouched, featuring two Centralab potentiometers and a Sprague “Bumblebee” capacitor.
The guitar plays well up and down the neck, with original frets in very good condition. The original ceramic saddle was lightly notched in the past, and the bridge has been reglued to ensure long-term stability.
Tonally, it delivers the dry, woody, and mid-focused sound typical of early J-160Es. Acoustically it’s clear and compact, while the electric tone offers warm, rounded clarity.
It comes in its original brown-and-pink Lifton hardshell case, which is in excellent condition.
This guitar has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Mahogany
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Sunburst Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Jumbo
Bracing Ladder
Side Mahogany
Top Laminated Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Medium (Original)
Inlays Celluloid Trapezoid
Joint Glued, Set
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Width 42.96mm / 1.69in
Profile Medium D
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls One volume, One tone
Neck Pickup J-160E P-90 (8.54k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge Pins Plastic
Control Knobs Gold Top Hat
finish Nickel
Pickguard Celluloid
Pickup Covers Black J-160E
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Adjustable Ceramic
Strap Buttons White Plastic
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 1-ply Black
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Repro Aged Kluson Deluxe Single Line Single Ring
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case Original brown-and-pink hardshell case
Model: GCVP0116
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge 12-53
Gibson Certified Vintage 1957 Gibson J-160E, Sunburst
Gibson Certified Vintage 1957 Gibson J-160E, Sunburst
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
1957 Gibson J-160E, Serial Number U 22619
Introduced in 1954 and continuing the design pioneered by the small-body CF-100E, the J-160E was our first production model to combine a full-sized flat-top acoustic with an integrated pickup system—bridging the gap between traditional acoustic tone and stage amplification. This 1957 example represents the earliest generation of that design, featuring a ladder-braced laminated spruce top, single P-90 pickup at the neck, and adjustable ceramic bridge saddle. Its naturally mid-forward voice and quick response helped establish the plugged-in acoustic sound that became a defining part of popular music in the following decade, perhaps most notably in the hands of George Harrison and John Lennon of The Beatles.
Finished in a vibrant original sunburst, this J-160E is an all-original example apart from an aged set of reproduction Kluson Deluxe single-line, single-ring tuners. The guitar is overall in very good shape, with moderate lacquer checking and light nicks and dings throughout. On the back of the peghead is a small “2” stamp indicating a factory second—likely due to the three heavy vertical checks on the body. These checks appear to be veneer separations in the grain patterns of the topmost spruce laminate. They are fully stable and purely cosmetic.
The guitar has received a few small repairs, including one re-glued and cleated brace and a lightly filled back repair on the bass-side lower bout, all neatly executed by the team at Glaser Instruments. The original P-90 pickup and wiring harness remain untouched, featuring two Centralab potentiometers and a Sprague “Bumblebee” capacitor.
The guitar plays well up and down the neck, with original frets in very good condition. The original ceramic saddle was lightly notched in the past, and the bridge has been reglued to ensure long-term stability.
Tonally, it delivers the dry, woody, and mid-focused sound typical of early J-160Es. Acoustically it’s clear and compact, while the electric tone offers warm, rounded clarity.
It comes in its original brown-and-pink Lifton hardshell case, which is in excellent condition.
This guitar has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Mahogany
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Sunburst Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Jumbo
Bracing Ladder
Side Mahogany
Top Laminated Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Medium (Original)
Inlays Celluloid Trapezoid
Joint Glued, Set
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Width 42.96mm / 1.69in
Profile Medium D
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls One volume, One tone
Neck Pickup J-160E P-90 (8.54k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge Pins Plastic
Control Knobs Gold Top Hat
finish Nickel
Pickguard Celluloid
Pickup Covers Black J-160E
Plastic Parts Black
Saddle Material Adjustable Ceramic
Strap Buttons White Plastic
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 1-ply Black
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Repro Aged Kluson Deluxe Single Line Single Ring
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case Original brown-and-pink hardshell case
Model: GCVP0116
Headstock Gibson open book
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Crown Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge 12-53
