This one is real special. I found myself one day jumping in the guitar hauler (read mini van, so rock and roll) and driving to South Carolina. There was a man selling a 1952 Gibson J-45 and a 1963 Fender Bassman there and we had already agreed on a price.
When I arrived he asked me if I knew who Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps was. I had no idea I had stepped into the house of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member Bobby Jones. Rolling Stone Magazine bestowed the title of "The first rock and roll band in the world" on the Blue Caps. Bobby was the bass player for the Blue Caps for about 14 months ('58-'59) and toured the world playing rock and roll. Bobby's J-45 was stolen around '56 so Johnny sold him his '52. More on Bobby here
When I arrived he asked me if I knew who Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps was. I had no idea I had stepped into the house of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member Bobby Jones. Rolling Stone Magazine bestowed the title of "The first rock and roll band in the world" on the Blue Caps. Bobby was the bass player for the Blue Caps for about 14 months ('58-'59) and toured the world playing rock and roll. Bobby's J-45 was stolen around '56 so Johnny sold him his '52. More on Bobby here
Gibson introduced the J-45 in 1942 sporting a solid Adirondack Spruce top and Honduran Mahogany back and sides. It had a scale length of 24.75", featured scalloped X bracing and the bridge was rectangular. In 1944 they switched to Sitka Spruce for the tops. In 1950 the "belly up" bridge was introduced with a slot saddle. The sides were solid Mahogany until 1952 and in 1953 the saddle changed to the drop in style. In 1955 the fretboard went from 19 frets to 20, the bracing went from tall/thin and scalloped to shorter and straight, and the pickguard became the larger style.
Since this guitar has the belly up bridge and the slotted saddle then it *should* have been made in 1952. The Factory Order Number prefix "Z" confirms this.
The aforementioned '63 Fender Bassman is still at the amp tech's place. I'm not sure if it is taking a long time to get parts or if he is playin' the hell outa that thing! Either way I am excited to get it back. Hopefully that will be soon.
