Up for sale, a 1969 Grammer G50 Johnny Cash signature model in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case, warranty card, and a vintage catalog. This exceedingly rare vintage dreadnought was one of only roughly 100 produced by Grammer under Ampegs brief ownership of the company.

The Grammer brand found favor and widespread use within the country music community in the 60s, and the Johnny Cash G50 model wasnt just endorsed by the Man in Black, it was also an instrument Cash used on his TV program (not this exact guitar, but we digress). In recent years, the Grammer brand (and the Johnny Cash model in particular) has been elevated in status via its connection with Joe Bonamassa, who has curated an enviable collection of these prized acoustics.

The G50 Johnny Cash features an X-braced spruce top, birdseye maple back and sides, and a maple neck capped with an ebony fingerboard. The body is 15 1/2″ wide across the lower bout, with a full 5″ body depth, yielding a bright, punchy sound with plenty of glassy treble definition thanks to the ebony board and maple back/sides. Wound strings are taut and clear, with a sweet bloom as notes sustain, while the plain strings are sparkling and snappy. This Grammer G50 weighs 5lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mikes Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Chunky C, measuring .880 1st fret, .965 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, dot inlay
-Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned
-Scale Length: 24 1/2
-Nut: 1 13/16
-Tuners: Pat. Pend Grover Rotomatics

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, Birdseye maple
-Bridge: Ebony, nylon saddle, reseated
-Plastics: Two-ply black pickguard
-Serialization: Four-digit stamp on Nashville, Tennessee label dates to 69
-Marquetry: Multi-ply binding on top/back

The two-tone Sunburst finish exhibits wavy lacquer checking and highlights the figuring in the birdseye maple on the back and rims, with a couple small touched-up marks in the black of the burst. There is a small repaired split between a couple of the bridge pins, and a similarly slight repair in the ebony fingerboard in the upper register. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few minor dings and a bit of pick scuffing along the strum path (largely constrained to the guard). The gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth, with light palm wear on the shoulders and a few minor marks in the first position.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included, along with the G warranty card and a 1971 catalog/price sheet.