In the Everly Brothers early performing days, Don played a Gibson Southern Jumbo, his “first brand-new guitar”. Later, both Everlys were pictured with Gibson SJ-200s, which were soon embellished (by Gibson) with custom-made, oversized pickguards, cut to the brothers’ own design. This was to become a key visual feature of Gibson’s “Everly Brothers” jumbo, which was introduced in 1962.

It also boasted star-shaped inlays on the headstock and fingerboard, and was finished in black. Everly models with natural tops were introduced in 1962. This new model was made at Gibson’s factory in Bozeman, Montana. It undeniably performs better than it’s predecessor, but 1960s Everlys retain a special cachet.

The J-180 has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge to go along with a maple neck, as well as, mahogany back and sides.