Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary – Top Score
By MNJ
| Posted in Guitar
This Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary is a one-off, special edition acoustic from Gibson. They are only making 20. Look again, that’s right, only a score of these guitars will be made – for the world. That’s a seriously miniscule number, even for a limited edition.
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo was introduced in 1936 but only 300 instruments were made. It was supposed to be in direct competition to the Martin D28, which had established itself as a big, booming ‘cannon’ of a guitar. The Advanced Jumbo was cheaper than the D28, featured Brazilian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top just like the Martin. It was the D28′s equal in volume and bass response and the 25 1/2″ scale length was the same, making it longer than any other Gibson flat top. It also featured unusual diamond and arrowhead inlays and a ‘striped’ pickguard, features I don’t recall seeing on any other Gibson acoustic since. There was a reissue of the Advanced Jumbo in the early 1990s, although the endangered Brazilian rosewood back and sides were replaced by Indian rosewood and the top was Sitka spruce.
The Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary guitar is built to the same specifications. The Adirondack spruce top is used again for a strong attack and pronounced bass end – it’s the tonewood of choice for many flatpickers – and the back and sides are constructed of Madagascar rosewood. The neck is mahogany, adding smoothness and warmth to the sustain. Hide glue is used in the construction, ensuring the guitar’s longevity. Vintage Waverly machine heads offer precision tuning and aged styling. The guitar certainly has the vintage looks, enhanced by the antique lacquer finish, and the inlays and scratchplate distinguish it from any other Gibson acoustic.
When considering the puchase of an acoustic guitar in this price bracket, there’s some serious thinking to do and several questions to ask yourself. At this level, the final choice of instrument really shouldn’t be governed by the cost, it should be about having a serious instrument, something that has some exclusivity and class, and something that not many other people are going to own.
The original Advanced Jumbo is widely considered to be one of the finest flat tops ever produced, by Gibson or any other company. A guitar with tremendous power and tone which has rarely been equalled. If you could find an original one for sale, it would be a large amount of money. By comparison, and for a limited edition of such a low number, the AJ Custom represents serious value for money, whether you’re a collector or player.
