{"product_id":"john-gilbert-1979","title":"John Gilbert 1979","description":"\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"rzkdgm\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"11\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"13\" data-end=\"370\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong data-start=\"18\" data-end=\"39\"\u003e1979 John Gilbert\u003c\/strong\u003e is a beautiful glimpse into the soundworld of one of the classical guitar’s great American luthiers and innovators. Gilbert’s instruments have been championed on major stages and recordings by artists like \u003cstrong data-start=\"246\" data-end=\"297\"\u003eDavid Russell, David Leisner, and Marc Teicholz\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it is easy to understand why once you spend a few minutes with one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"707\"\u003eThis particular guitar is especially appealing because it checks two boxes at once. From the player’s perspective, it has that confident, “organized” feel under the hands. From the listener’s perspective, it is \u003cstrong data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"618\"\u003ebalanced, clear, and projecting\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the kind of focus that carries to the back of a hall without ever sounding forced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"1026\"\u003eBut what really stands out here is something you feel immediately when you play it:\u003cbr data-start=\"792\" data-end=\"795\"\u003ethe sound is \u003cstrong data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"847\"\u003erich and deep, yet incredibly clear\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a palette of colors that makes it genuinely addictive. It is not often that you find this level of warmth and tonal color \u003cem data-start=\"976\" data-end=\"987\"\u003ealongside\u003c\/em\u003e such strong separation between voices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1ma7m6t\" data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1043\"\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1230\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9cqef\" data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1079\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1079\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1077\"\u003eJohn Gilbert, 1979, No. 42\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"5kify3\" data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1099\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1082\" data-end=\"1099\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1082\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eTop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spruce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"a82oav\" data-start=\"1100\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1102\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1102\" data-end=\"1121\"\u003eBack and Sides:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indian rosewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"8b7iow\" data-start=\"1140\" data-end=\"1171\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1142\" data-end=\"1171\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1142\" data-end=\"1159\"\u003eScale Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1169\"\u003e655mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1qqaa71\" data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1199\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1199\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1188\"\u003eNut Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"1189\" data-end=\"1197\"\u003e53mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"l09yb5\" data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1230\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1230\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1213\"\u003eTuners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gilbert tuners\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"8uv7or\" data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1256\"\u003eSound and Playability\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1460\"\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1268\" data-end=\"1310\"\u003ehighly reactive, responsive instrument\u003c\/strong\u003e. It responds immediately to the player’s touch, which is exactly why so many top professionals have gravitated toward Gilbert guitars over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1462\" data-end=\"1538\"\u003eWhat’s particularly compelling is the balance between \u003cstrong data-start=\"1516\" data-end=\"1537\"\u003econtrol and color\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9am9p0\" data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1661\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1661\"\u003eThe guitar offers \u003cstrong data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"1589\"\u003eexcellent note separation\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing individual voices to remain distinct even in dense textures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"daooza\" data-start=\"1662\" data-end=\"1770\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1770\"\u003eAt the same time, it delivers a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1696\" data-end=\"1728\"\u003erich, colorful tonal palette\u003c\/strong\u003e that gives phrasing depth and character\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"akg9sq\" data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eWhen all six strings come together, the sound \u003cstrong data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1842\"\u003eunifies beautifully\u003c\/strong\u003e, creating a cohesive and projecting voice\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"2157\"\u003eIt is not a guitar that simply “wraps you in warmth” at all times. Instead, it gives you \u003cstrong data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"2006\"\u003eprecision and flexibility\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing you to shape the sound exactly as you want. That level of control is a big part of what makes these guitars so appealing to serious players.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2392\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"2163\" data-end=\"2198\"\u003efirst string sings effortlessly\u003c\/strong\u003e, with excellent sustain and clarity. The middle strings are especially impressive, offering both warmth and articulation, and the basses remain supportive without ever overpowering the texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2394\" data-end=\"2661\"\u003eFrom a physical standpoint, despite the slightly larger dimensions (\u003cstrong data-start=\"2462\" data-end=\"2487\"\u003e655mm scale, 53mm nut\u003c\/strong\u003e), the guitar feels \u003cstrong data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2544\"\u003every comfortable and approachable\u003c\/strong\u003e. The setup is low, the frets are in great shape, and the even response across the fingerboard makes it easy to play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"pkfijf\" data-start=\"2663\" data-end=\"2684\"\u003eConstruction Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2983\"\u003eWhile many players today might associate this level of clarity and projection with modern double tops or lattice-braced guitars, this instrument is neither. It is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2851\" data-end=\"2913\"\u003etraditional spruce-top guitar with a 5-fan bracing pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e, executed with Gilbert’s highly refined, engineering-driven approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2985\" data-end=\"3040\"\u003eYou’ll also notice hallmark Gilbert details, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3042\" data-end=\"3346\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"7eani7\" data-start=\"3042\" data-end=\"3128\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3044\" data-end=\"3128\"\u003eHis \u003cstrong data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3078\"\u003edistinctive rosette design\u003c\/strong\u003e, seen on many iconic instruments and recordings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"120r0t7\" data-start=\"3129\" data-end=\"3212\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3131\" data-end=\"3212\"\u003eA \u003cstrong data-start=\"3133\" data-end=\"3173\"\u003elightweight, efficient bridge design\u003c\/strong\u003e, carefully shaped for responsiveness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ycirr3\" data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3346\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3215\" data-end=\"3346\"\u003eHis signature \u003cstrong data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3248\"\u003emachined tuners\u003c\/strong\u003e, reflecting his background as an engineer and his precise, analytical approach to guitar making\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"3348\" data-end=\"3360\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3362\" data-end=\"3532\"\u003eRepolished top, and great condition throughout. There are small marks here and there, but overall it presents remarkably well for its age and remains \u003cstrong data-start=\"3512\" data-end=\"3531\"\u003ehighly playable\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"lng9ew\" data-start=\"3534\" data-end=\"3555\"\u003eAbout John Gilbert\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3557\" data-end=\"3800\"\u003eJohn Gilbert is widely regarded as one of the most important American luthiers of the 20th century. With a background in engineering, he brought a uniquely analytical and innovative approach to guitar design, influencing generations of makers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3802\" data-end=\"4078\"\u003eHis guitars are known for their \u003cstrong data-start=\"3834\" data-end=\"3883\"\u003eclarity, projection, and structural precision\u003c\/strong\u003e, and have been trusted by some of the world’s leading concert artists. Perhaps most tellingly, they are also \u003cstrong data-start=\"3993\" data-end=\"4023\"\u003eexceptionally hard to find\u003c\/strong\u003e, as many players who acquire one tend to hold onto it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"4080\" data-end=\"4083\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4085\" data-end=\"4170\"\u003eIf you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at \u003ca data-start=\"4143\" data-end=\"4168\" class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eevan@guitarcollection.com\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse fill=\"currentColor\" href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-gmavja41.svg#304883\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4172\" data-end=\"4296\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003ePlease note: Free UPS 2nd day air shipping is included if paid via a feeless method. Please contact for payment information.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Guitar Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52007538557220,"sku":null,"price":11000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1543\/9652\/files\/Gilbert1979-2.jpg?v=1771515441","url":"https:\/\/guitarcollection.myshopify.com\/products\/john-gilbert-1979","provider":"Guitar Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}