The 1969 Gibson Crest is an exceptionally rare and historically important fully hollow electric guitar from one of Gibson’s most ambitious periods, and this particular example carries the added distinction of documented previous ownership by legendary British drummer Kenney Jones of Small Faces, Faces and The Who.

Introduced as an ultra-premium Gibson model, the Crest featured luxurious rosewood body construction, elaborate binding and appointments, floating Johnny Smith pickups and ornate gold-plated hardware. Only a very small number were ever produced, making surviving examples genuinely uncommon even before artist provenance is taken into account.

This particular guitar retains all of its original hardware and electronics, an especially important feature on an instrument dating from 1969.

Its previous ownership by Kenney Jones is supported by substantial accompanying provenance, including photographs of Kenney with the guitar, a photograph signed by Kenney Jones, and documentation describing how the guitar came into his ownership.

The guitar is in Very Good condition for its age, weighs an exceptionally manageable 6.46 lbs, and is supplied with a hardcase.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Gibson
Model	Crest
Year	1969
Type	Vintage Fully Hollow Electric Guitar
Previous Owner	Kenney Jones
Artist Association	Small Faces / Faces / The Who
Provenance	Photographs, Signed Photograph & Ownership Documentation
Hardware	Original
Electronics	Original
Weight	6.46 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Vintage Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included

PRE-OWNED / VINTAGE CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned 1969 Gibson Crest in Very Good condition for its age.

As a genuine late-1960s vintage instrument, buyers should expect the natural signs of age, handling and previous use associated with a guitar of this period.

Of particular importance, this guitar retains all of its original hardware and electronics, preserving a substantial degree of its period integrity.

This individual guitar weighs just 6.46 lbs.

A hardcase is included.

DOCUMENTED KENNEY JONES OWNERSHIP

This Gibson Crest carries a particularly significant piece of British music history through its documented previous ownership by Kenney Jones.

Kenney Jones is one of Britain’s best-known rock drummers, having been a member of Small Faces, Faces and The Who during a career spanning several of the most influential British rock bands of the 1960s, 1970s and beyond.

The guitar is accompanied by provenance supporting his ownership, including:

• Photographs of Kenney Jones with the guitar

• A photograph signed by Kenney Jones

• Documentation describing how the guitar came into his ownership

For collectors of artist-owned instruments, vintage Gibson guitars and British rock memorabilia, this provenance adds an exceptional dimension to an already extremely rare guitar.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE GIBSON

The Crest was produced only from 1969 to 1972, with total production numbering just 208 instruments.

Only 56 examples were produced in 1969, placing this guitar among the earliest and rarest Crest instruments.

At the time, the Crest occupied an extraordinarily high position within Gibson’s range and was listed at approximately twice the price of an ES-335.

Its combination of low production numbers, elaborate construction and distinctive floating-pickup electronics makes the Crest one of the more unusual Gibson electric guitars of its era.

KEY FEATURES

• Genuine 1969 Gibson Crest

• Extremely rare vintage Gibson model

• Only 56 Crest guitars produced in 1969

• Fully hollow construction

• No centre block

• Rosewood top

• Rosewood back

• Rosewood sides

• Set multi-piece maple neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 12" fingerboard radius

• 24.75" scale length

• 22 frets

• Mother-of-pearl block inlays

• Dual floating Johnny Smith pickups

• 3-way pickup selector

• 2 Volume controls

• 2 Tone controls

• Floating bridge arrangement

• Ornate trapeze tailpiece

• Rosewood detailing

• Gold hardware

• Multi-ply body binding

• Split-diamond-style headstock detailing

• Original hardware

• Original electronics

• Documented previous ownership by Kenney Jones

• Photographs of Kenney Jones with the guitar

• Signed Kenney Jones photograph

• Ownership documentation included

• Actual measured weight of 6.46 lbs

• Very Good vintage condition

• Hardcase included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

There are several distinct reasons why this guitar stands apart.

Firstly, the Gibson Crest itself is extraordinarily rare. With only 208 made across the entire production run and only 56 produced in 1969, it occupies a very different category from Gibson’s better-known ES models.

Secondly, this example retains its original hardware and electronics, a major consideration on any guitar more than half a century old.

Finally, its documented Kenney Jones ownership connects the instrument directly with a musician whose career encompasses Small Faces, Faces and The Who.

The result is a guitar with appeal across several collecting categories: rare Gibson instruments, late-1960s American guitars, artist-owned instruments and important pieces connected with British rock history.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Gibson Crest

The Crest was one of Gibson’s most unusual high-end hollow-body electric guitars.

Rather than being designed as a conventional working semi-hollow, it incorporated luxurious materials and appointments normally associated with Gibson’s premium archtop instruments.

Fully Hollow Construction

Unlike an ES-335, the Crest is fully hollow and has no centre block.

This gives the guitar greater acoustic resonance and a more open response when compared with Gibson’s semi-hollow designs.

Rosewood Body Construction

One of the Crest’s most unusual characteristics is its extensive use of rosewood for the top, back and sides.

This contributes substantially to both the visual character and premium status of the model.

Multi-Piece Maple Neck

The set maple neck provides a stable foundation while retaining the traditional glued-neck construction associated with Gibson’s premium hollow-body guitars.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard is decorated with elegant mother-of-pearl block position markers.

12" Fingerboard Radius

The traditional Gibson-style 12" radius provides a relatively flat playing surface suitable for chord work and lead playing.

24.75" Scale Length

The 24.75" Gibson scale length gives the guitar the familiar string feel associated with many classic Gibson electrics.

22-Fret Layout

The guitar provides 22 frets, giving the familiar playing range expected from Gibson’s electric guitar designs.

Floating Johnny Smith Pickups

The Crest is fitted with a pair of floating Johnny Smith pickups.

Rather than being mounted directly into the top in the conventional manner, the pickups form part of a design intended to preserve the acoustic behaviour of the hollow body.

The result is a clear, detailed and refined amplified voice particularly well suited to clean and lower-gain playing.

Dual-Pickup Controls

The electronics use the familiar Gibson configuration of separate Volume and Tone controls for each pickup.

This makes it possible to balance the neck and bridge pickups independently.

Three-Way Selector

A traditional 3-way toggle selects the neck pickup, both pickups together or the bridge pickup.

Floating Bridge

The Crest uses a traditional floating bridge arrangement appropriate to its archtop-inspired construction.

Ornate Trapeze Tailpiece

The elaborate trapeze-style tailpiece is one of the model’s standout visual features and incorporates decorative rosewood detailing.

Gold Hardware

Gold-plated hardware reinforces the Crest’s position as a premium Gibson instrument.

Original Electronics

This guitar retains all of its original electronics.

On an instrument dating from 1969, preservation of the original pickup and control system is an especially important collector feature.

Original Hardware

All of the guitar’s hardware is also original.

The survival of these original components gives the guitar considerable historical integrity.

6.46 lbs Actual Weight

This individual Gibson Crest weighs just 6.46 lbs.

Its fully hollow construction makes it considerably lighter than many Gibson electrics, and this particular example should feel exceptionally manageable when played standing.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This 1969 Gibson Crest is primarily suited to serious vintage guitar collectors, Gibson enthusiasts, artist-owned instrument collectors and musicians with a particular interest in British rock history.

It is also a compelling instrument for players who appreciate the open response and distinctive amplified character of a genuinely hollow vintage Gibson.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The Crest is particularly well suited to:

• Jazz

• Blues

• Clean electric guitar

• Soul

• Vintage pop

• Studio recording

• Traditional archtop playing

• Lower-gain electric tones

• Chordal work

• Vintage-inspired arrangements

Its fully hollow construction and floating pickups particularly reward clean and dynamically sensitive playing.

HOW IT COMPARES

Gibson Crest vs ES-335

The ES-335 uses a semi-hollow body with a solid centre block.

The Crest is fully hollow, giving it a more open and acoustic response.

The Crest was also positioned considerably higher in Gibson’s range during its original production period.

Gibson Crest vs ES-330

The ES-330 is also fully hollow, but the Crest represents a much more ornate and luxurious interpretation of Gibson’s hollow electric format.

Its rosewood construction, Johnny Smith pickups and premium appointments place it in a very different category.

Crest vs Conventional Gibson Archtop

Traditional Gibson archtops often use a larger body and conventional jazz-oriented construction.

The Crest combines many of those premium archtop ideas with a thinner ES-style double-cutaway body.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Vintage Hollow-Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Crest
Year	1969
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Style	ES-Style Double Cutaway
Construction	Fully Hollow
Centre Block	None
Top	Rosewood
Back	Rosewood
Sides	Rosewood
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Neck Material	Multi-Piece Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Inlays	Mother-of-Pearl Blocks
Pickup Configuration	HH
Neck Pickup	Johnny Smith Floating Pickup
Bridge Pickup	Johnny Smith Floating Pickup
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Floating Archtop-Style
Tailpiece	Decorative Trapeze
Hardware	Gold
Hardware Originality	Original
Electronics Originality	Original
Previous Owner	Kenney Jones
Provenance	Included
Weight	6.46 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Condition	Very Good / Vintage Pre-Owned

PROVENANCE INCLUDED

The guitar is supplied with important documentation relating to its previous ownership by Kenney Jones.

Included provenance comprises:

• Photographs showing Kenney Jones with the guitar

• A photograph signed by Kenney Jones

• Documentation describing how the guitar came into his ownership

These materials should remain with the instrument as an important part of its documented history.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The 1969 Gibson Crest uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Serious vintage Gibson collectors, artist-owned instrument collectors and musicians looking for an exceptionally rare late-1960s hollow-body Gibson.

Customers usually upgrade from: Premium Gibson ES models, vintage archtops, Gibson Custom instruments and other collectible American guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Clean valve amplifiers, low-gain overdrive, reverb and traditional jazz or vintage-style amplification.

Our tip: With an instrument like this, the complete package matters. Keep the signed photograph, ownership document and other provenance together with the guitar and hardcase, as they form an important part of its history.

Showroom feedback: A 1969 Crest would already be an exceptionally unusual guitar to encounter. Add the original hardware and electronics, 6.46 lbs weight and documented Kenney Jones ownership, and this becomes a genuinely special piece for the serious collector.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a guitar of this significance requires considerably more consideration than purchasing a conventional modern instrument.

This is a genuine 1969 Gibson Crest, one of only a very small number produced, retaining all of its original hardware and electronics and accompanied by documented artist provenance.

The guitar weighs 6.46 lbs, is in Very Good condition, and includes a hardcase along with its Kenney Jones ownership material.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging vintage, rare and high-value musical instruments.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with vintage and high-value guitars

• Experience with rare and artist-associated instruments

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar, vintage instrument or collection could help towards the cost of this 1969 Gibson Crest.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges vintage and modern guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you own vintage, collectible or high-value musical instruments you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess them for part exchange.

Trading in can remove many of the complications involved in privately selling valuable instruments while allowing their value to go directly towards your next purchase.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this a genuine 1969 Gibson Crest?

Yes. This is a genuine 1969 Gibson Crest.

How rare is the Gibson Crest?

Extremely rare.

Only 208 Gibson Crest guitars were produced between 1969 and 1972, with just 56 produced in 1969.

Is the Crest fully hollow?

Yes. It is a fully hollow electric guitar with no centre block.

What is the body made from?

The Crest uses rosewood for the top, back and sides.

What is the neck made from?

It uses a multi-piece maple set neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a rosewood fingerboard.

What is the scale length?

It uses a 24.75" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 frets.

What pickups does it have?

It uses two floating Johnny Smith pickups.

Are the pickups original?

Yes. The guitar retains all of its original electronics.

Is the hardware original?

Yes. The guitar retains all of its original hardware.

Who previously owned this guitar?

It was previously owned by Kenney Jones.

Who is Kenney Jones?

Kenney Jones is the celebrated British drummer known for his work with Small Faces, Faces and The Who.

Is there documentation supporting Kenney Jones' ownership?

Yes.

The guitar is accompanied by provenance documenting his ownership.

What provenance is included?

The accompanying provenance includes photographs of Kenney Jones with the guitar, a photograph signed by Kenney Jones, and documentation describing how the instrument came into his ownership.

Does the signed photograph come with the guitar?

Yes. The signed photograph forms part of the accompanying provenance.

How much does the guitar weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 6.46 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the case described as original?

No. It is supplied with a hardcase, without an additional claim regarding originality.

What condition is it in?

The guitar is in Very Good condition for a vintage instrument of this age.

Does it require a battery?

No. It uses passive electronics.

Is it suitable for jazz?

Yes. Its fully hollow construction and floating pickups are particularly well suited to clean, warm and articulate jazz tones.

Is it collectible?

Very much so. The combination of extremely low Crest production numbers, 1969 manufacture, original hardware and electronics, and documented Kenney Jones ownership gives this instrument considerable collector interest.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. A video demo is strongly recommended for a vintage instrument of this significance, allowing you to hear the guitar and inspect its condition in greater detail.

Can I arrange an in-person inspection?

Yes. An instrument of this significance is especially well suited to an in-person inspection at Fair Deal Music's Birmingham showroom.

Can I part-exchange another vintage guitar?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers vintage, collectible and modern musical instruments for part exchange.