Gibson J-100 Xtra Sunburst

The Gibson J-100 XTRA is a Super Jumbo acoustic built in Bozeman, Montana, and closely related to the better-known SJ-200. The XTRA version appeared in the early 1990s as a slightly plainer alternative. It kept the large 17-inch body, long scale and characteristic moustache bridge but with simpler fingerboard decoration and less elaborate appointments.

The 1990s version is particularly interesting because the original run used solid mahogany for the back and sides rather than the maple more commonly associated with Gibson’s Super Jumbo models. By the end of the decade, the J-100 XTRA moved back toward maple construction, making these mahogany-bodied examples a distinct part of the model’s history.

This example dates from 1997 and has the period-correct combination of a solid Sitka spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. The large body and scalloped bracing give it considerable acoustic output. This particular guitar is really loud and full sounding, with strong low end and plenty of projection. Maybe because of the mahogony? At any rate, this is a killer sounding guitar.k

It has been played, so there is plenty of general playwear, including numerous marks and dings in the top together with finish checking in several areas. The frets are like new and the guitar plays very well indeed.

It’s had a Fishman pickup installed, we don’t know exactly what model. The original Gibson brown hardshell case with pink/purple interior is included, which is quite worn and has a loose hinge, but otherwise fine. Weight is 2400g.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Gibson J-100 XTRA
• Year: 1997
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Factory: Gibson Acoustic, Bozeman, Montana
• Body style: Super Jumbo
• Body width: Approximately 17″
• Body construction: All solid
• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back: Solid mahogany
• Sides: Solid mahogany
• Top bracing: Scalloped bracing
• Body binding: Multi-ply top binding, single-ply back binding
• Soundhole: Round
• Rosette: Multi-ring
• Finish: Sunburst
• Finish type: Nitrocellulose lacquer
• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell-style Gibson Jumbo pickguard
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck joint: Set neck
• Body joint: 14th fret
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard binding: Unbound
• Fingerboard inlays: Pearl dot position markers
• Number of frets: 20
• Scale length: 25.5″
• Headstock: Traditional Gibson open-book shape
• Headstock face: Black
• Headstock logo: Gibson script
• Headstock inlay: Crown
• Truss rod: Adjustable
• Bridge: Rosewood Gibson moustache-style bridge
• Saddle: Compensated acoustic saddle
• Bridge pins: Traditional acoustic bridge pins
• Tuners: Gibson Deluxe-style tuners with pearloid buttons
• Hardware finish: Nickel
• Electronics: Fishman pickup, exact model unknown
• Weight: 2400g