Channel Cat Stevens’ Beloved J-180
Armed with his guitar and an eagerness for spiritual enlightenment through music, Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf) brought charming ballads and literate folky pop to the world with his J-180. Now, Gibson has revived the classic guitar’s legacy with this Collector’s Edition Cat Stevens J-180. On his J-180, Stevens wrote and recorded famed songs like “Wild World,” “Peace Train,” and “Father and Son.” Immediately drawn by its inviting body shape and elegant appearance, Stevens bought his original J-180 at London's famed Selmer’s Music Shop back in 1969. Although Stevens has since sold it, donating the proceeds to charity, the guitar eventually found its way back to him, and now he also tours with a vintage J-180 backup. This revamped taste of the past offers those same folky tones and percussive qualities inherent in Cat Stevens’ original that brought essential components to top-selling albums like Tea for the Tillerman. The Cat Stevens J-180 collector's edition features a spruce top backed with maple and sports a mahogany neck capped with rosewood, in addition to featuring LR Baggs electronics for plugging in. But just remember: this elegant guitar will surely bring the spirit of Cat Stevens to your musical globetrotting.
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Embodying the archetypal '70s singer/songwriter
When Gibson decided to bring back the J-180 in the spirit of Cat Stevens, they knew they had to make it special. At first glance, the Cat Stevens J-180 collector's edition stands out with an elegant ebony finish that is beautifully complemented by its tortoiseshell pickguard. Look a little closer and you’ll find graduated mother-of-pearl stars leading up to a headstock embellished with a moon and star. Sweetwater guitarists' favorite part? The interior label signed by Yusuf/Cat Stevens himself! With only a 50-guitar run, it’s safe to say you’ll hardly have a chance to lay your hands on an instrument like this again.
Rich tones and percussive sophistication
Ride the peace train with the rich tones of this J-180. Thanks to its thermally aged Sitka spruce top and maple back and sides, this instrument sings with stunning articulation merged with balanced projection and tight bass. You’ll easily fret chords and freely fingerpick, courtesy of the J-180’s mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. What's more, the J-180's comfortable body shape has drawn praise from many guitarists — its the perfect companion for your dedicated songwriting sessions.
Amplified performance thanks to LR Baggs
Whether you’re strumming along or fingerpicking, the Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 collector's edition will follow along, thanks to its LR Baggs M1 soundhole pickup. A uniquely designed humbucker with a twist, this pickup provides your performances with high feedback resistance and added presence and realism. When it comes to acoustic guitar pickups, this one from LR Baggs really brings out the bright, balanced resonance of the J-180’s tonewoods.
Gibson Acoustic Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:
- Limited-edition reproduction of Cat Steven's classic J-180 on which he wrote hits like "Wild World" and "Peace Train"
- Signed by Yusuf/Cat Stevens himself
- Adorned with mother-of-pearl moon and star in the headstock and stars along fingerboard
- Sitka spruce top lends articulation
- Maple back and sides offer tight bass and balanced projection
- LR Baggs M1 soundhole pickup with volume control delivers hum-free tone when plugged in while adding presence and realism
- Mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard for easy fretting
- Elegant design and comfortable body shape
