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1962 J-160E Truss Rod Cover

Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
93
A few years ago I acquired a 2016 Gibson custom shop J-160e 1962 reissue in VOS. A mouth full of a name, I know. The guitar has been wonderful and largely very accurate to an original '62, however there were two things that always bothered me about it. The tulip tips and the truss rod cover. I recently installed an accurate set of double ring tips, but I haven't been able to source the right truss rod cover. For some reason the guitar came with a hideous, cheap, and inaccurate truss rod cover. (See photos below). Does anyone know where I can acquire a proper cover? Or a better question... What kind of cover should be on this? I've seen some with the white bell cover (see last photo). Others seem to have two holes drilled and all black covers. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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P.A.F

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Messages
78
I don't know if helps but my 1943 banner logo LG 2 has the same cover and it's original to it
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,845
That plain black cover is correct for a J-160E

I had a 1954 (solid top!) Had tat cover. They all did.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
93
That plain black cover is correct for a J-160E

I had a 1954 (solid top!) Had tat cover. They all did.

So what’s up with some of the other J-160e models with different covers? The photo of the one I posted is John Lennon‘s original guitar that has a double ply cover. I’m also finding some guitars that are “all original” with single ply black covers but they have two mounting screws instead of one.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
93
I did some digging and was able to find an example of what I am referencing. Both of these guitars are listed for sale as completely original. One is a 57 that has an all black cover, where as the second photo is of a 59 that has a double ply bell cover with white edges. I’ve also had a really hard time finding an original example that has a cover with only one mounting screw.
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DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,317
It looks like the Custom Shop got it right with the flat bottomed truss rod cover.

From the Beatles Gear Book....

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Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
93
So it seems like there is no rhyme or reason to the covers. I guess they just used whatever they had in the factory back in the day. I've seen four different truss rod covers just on 1962 guitars alone.

If anyone knows where I can acquire a single screw flat bottom truss rod cover, I would appreciate it. The one on this guitar is horrible stamped plastic with harsh edges. I'd prefer a 2-ply if possible. Couldn't find any from CreamTone or Historic Makeovers.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
93
Received my new cover today and I am very satisfied. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks to MojoAxe for the hook up!


Sorry the photo is sideways. It keeps rotating automatically for some reason...
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