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Location: Madison, Wis | I just picked up an old Gibson from a garage sale for $50.00. After looking at it and playing, it had a wonderful tone. I cleaned it up, and played some more, and it really sounds great. So I started peaking to see if it had a serial number, and it did. X9564 4, so I hopped on the Gibson site, and based off of there numbers this guitar was made sometime in the late 50's. I am not looking to sell it, as I am collecting (slowly). Anyone by chance happen to know, or know where I can find out how    much it may be worth? Here are some pictures. It is beat up, scratched and looks like the bridge has been replaced. But again, it sure sounds great.  |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | Great pickup!!
Looks like an old Sunburst J45
I'm no expert. $2k?
AJ |
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Location: Madison, Wis | I thought it was a steal even if it was beat up. And really the only thing I needed to do was add strings and clean it up. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | nice grab. Ask Al here for a price or Timm at www.kummersvintage.com |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Gibson has some of the best customer support I have encountered. If you e-mail them with as much info as you can get, along with detailed, close-up pictures, you will get an answer back within 24 hours. They won't give you a price, but they will tell you exactly what you have, when it was made, and you can take it from there. There are several websites dealing with prices, or you could check places like elderly instruments.
I congratulate you on this wonderful find, and I will freely admit I am jealous. I own several fine guitars, but I think I will never be satisfied until I can get my hands on another vintage Gibson. The one I HAD eventually got a cracked bridge. When I had it repaired, of course the sound had been compromised. I cried whenever I played it, so I wound up selling it. I had planned to have my ashes put in that guitar! Someday, maybe I will find another, but in the meantime, I consider myself lucky to have ever had one at all. |
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Location: CA | I was in a similar situation about 10 years ago with a guitar that turned out to be a knockoff of an old Gibbie Hummingbird. Live and learn. Gibson archiving/numbering was kinda weird and changed several times over the years. I'm sure the info it online somewhere by now, but I found what I needed in books. (Remember those?). Not sure a library would have them, but I'll betcha a really big Barnes and Noble would. No need to buy. Just look up what you need to. This particular book might be your go-to reference these days: http://www.amazon.com/Gibsons-Fabulous-Flat-Top-Guitars-Illustrated...
Looks like you found a real Mona Lisa in the scrapheap. $50?! Wow. Did you have to talk him down or was he firm on that price? Ha ha ha. |
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Location: NJ | J-160E ?
can't tell with those pics |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't see and E |
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Location: Madison, Wis | Now after looking closer there is inked stamped the letters "LG 2". Along with the serial # X9564 4.
When I saw the price tag for $50.00, I quickly picked it up, and said to the guy, it really looks beat up, but I will take it for $50.00, even though it should be lower. lol....  |
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Location: Madison, Wis | Here are a few more pictures of the Gibson. I emailed Gibson with all my info and pictures. I will let you know what they say. Thanks for everyones insight.       |
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Location: Tennessee | Well, whatever it is, I think it was $50 well spent. Nice grab! :cool: |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | FWIW... if it is a LG-2.
Found this info on them. It's hard to see some details from your pics, but the script logo on the peghead could put it at pre-1948.
It'll be interesting to hear what Gibson tells you about it.
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August 1942 LG-2 introduction specs:
14 1/8" wide Spruce "X" braced top, mahogany back and sides, single bound top and back (though some had triple bound tops), fire stripe teardrop pickguard, 19 total frets, rosewood fingerboard, rectangle rosewood bridge with black bridge pins, two pearl dots on bridge, dot fingerboard inlays, 3 on-a-plate tuners, sunburst finish. "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner logo.
In 1943 standard tortoise pickguard.
1943-1945: Some war-time models have a mahogany top and/or maple back and sides. In 1946 the "banner" is dropped (still a script "Gibson" peghead logo).
In 1948 goes to a "block" Gibson peghead logo.
In 1949 a 3/4 scale (23") LG-2 was introduced, with ladder bracing.
In 1955 larger pickguard with point, 20 frets total, lower braces.
In 1961 has cherry sunburst finish, no pearl dots on bridge, $115 retail price.
In 1962 has white bridge pins.
In late 1962 replaced by B-25.
Early LG-2 models are actually a decent little guitar, since it has "X" bracing. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Forget what I said about pre-1948...
Told you I couldn't see much detail from the pics!
:o |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I've been doing some research, and I believe what you have is a 1954. The number is a "Factory Order Number", not a serial number. It will be interesting to see if my sources are right. I will get back to you with an estimated value. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OK, I didn't find any prices on 1954's, but I found late 40's and late 50's. In good condition, it should be valued at between $1,500 and $2,000. You say it is beat up, but it doesn't look too bad from the pictures. If I were you, I'd insure it for $2,000. And then play the heck out of it! |
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Location: Madison, Wis | I'm sorry, when I say beat up, what I really mean is it is weathered, like it should be after 53 years. The lacquer is cracking, and around the hole is worn out from strumming. It sure does sound good though, really has a blues kind of sound. Not really deep, but a nice tone to it. Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I'll give you $150 for it. |
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Location: Madison, Wis | Wow with that I would have tripled doubled my investment....but I think I will hold on to it...lol |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | How about $250 :D
Congrats Bill, an interesting find.
AJ |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | I have the opportunity to buy a mint original 64 Gibson J160E.
The same guy also has a Travis Bean TB100s for sale.
One for you Beal.
Not exactly my cup of tea but I'm doing my homework.
AJ |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I would put this at around late 50's early 60's...very difficult to go by the order number inside the guitar...Gibson wasn't known for accuracy...I had several of these through my shop in the early 90's...great sounding little acoustic's...aprox value in todays market is between $1500 to $2500...a medium of $1950 is probably close...actually, your's looks to be in decent cobdition so it may bring more...get a good hardshell case for it... |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Sounds like the value and collectibility of the guitar depends a lot on which type of bracing on the soundboard.
"X" bracing is a plus... "Ladder" bracing, not so much.
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Location: Madison, Wis | This guitar has the X bracing. |
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Location: East Tennessee | You have a gem.
Don't make any major modifications just play it and enjoy. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Ladder bracing was on the LG2 3/4: a smaller guitar not much bigger than a baby Taylor: they'e cool little guitars in their own right but do not have the sound of the LG2 w/x bracing. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Aussie James, I'm past the Travis Bean stage. I think you mean TB1000
This LG-2 is a nice grab and it looks in pretty good shape. You want all the weather checks, that makes it better. |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | Yes Bill, TB1000S
What's their real value in your opinion?
It's great to see someone stumble over a bargain.
AJ |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I'd say the Bean is about 1000-1500.
On the Gibson I really don't know where the market is. I'd say 750-2000 but that is a pretty wide range. We really need to ask Kummer on this one |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I will never be satisfied until I can get my hands on another vintage Gibson.....I had planned to have my ashes put in that guitar! Wouldn't that make it sound, I dunno....dusty? |
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Location: Tennessee | I'm thinking that having the bridge replacement screwed into the soundboard might dampen the value a bit. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Yeah, that might knock it down a bit then again you could always redo the replacement and do it right and get some of that back.
As I recall the X denotes the year and Alison said that was 54. |
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Location: Madison, Wis | I am bringing it in this week to a guy who works on vintage guitars and see what he thinks he can do with it. I would like to see the bridge done correctly as you state in your post Beal and bobbo. He is also going to look at the bracing and stuff inside. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | you got a good one.
$350, that's my last offer..... |
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Location: Madison, Wis | Should I have this guy work on the bridge? With it being screwed into the top, will this hurt the top at all, or do you think it should be safe?
And Beal, again another great offer...wow...you have really gone out on a limb with that one...lol |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | $500??? :D :D
Thanks Bill, I have contacted Timm about the Gibson
I have also asked him if he will ship to Oz there are a couple of things he has I am interested in.
AJ |
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Old Gibson