[1938 Recording King M5 by Gibson]

Just for curiousity sake, a little past 3/4 of the way down, just after the Washburn section is the Fascinator. They were overpriced, didn't sell, and were discontinued. The rectangular box w/Fascinator logo is the Gibson id (vs Regal) according to the various info I can find. fwiw

 

http://www.fox-guitars.com/Gibson-Made_Brands.html

 

Slightly worse for the wear:

 

[1938 Recording King M5 by Gibson]

zw, no doubt about what you're saying. The guy I bought my 59' LG3 from ($500) threw in the Fascinator. The LG3 needed a good bit of reconditioning work but it turned into a prince. I started on the Fascinator, stopped and started again... then decided it was a frog and much more than a smooch was needed. The mahog and spruce (adi?) is very good wood, but the bracing inside is buggered to n'th. I quit drinking 20+ yrs ago, if I restart this project it might push me off the wagon. There's a little man inside my head who keeps telling me 'put it in a cave for the troglodytes when they return', dunno. best

[1938 Recording King M5 by Gibson]

Thanks for story, love these old archtops, had a 46' ES150 for 35yrs.

 

I have kinda sorta given up on restoring my 1935 Tonk Bros Fascinator by Gibson, it has the same lovely binding of your guitar.... but in a world of bad shape. The Fascinator was a low end model and not sure it would ever be worth the trouble. I picked up a 2012 John Pisano by Eastman and well... the Tonk slumbers. regards

 

[Your Acoustical Performances!!!]

Willie Dixon is smilin.... Elvis did a song about your dog.

[Rosewood adjustable saddle (vs bone)]

Rosewood saddles are still used on archtops with nickel strings. You might like nickel strings with the bone saddle?

 

jedzep.. love that innovative idea on the bridge. I cut my own bone nut/saddles and love to tweak. great job

[Any J-200 Jr. history buffs out there?]

GC in Marietta GA has a 1993 J200 jr on the wall which I played a week ago. Also tried another 1992 at a different store. The maple/sitka on both had a dull/sluggish voice in the deep tones, not a clear tone to my ear. The mids-highs were excellent on both but the deep tones were a stopper for me. It's not like the HD28 bottom-out tone, just muddy to my ear. I think if you find one that has clear deep tones you'll have a jewel. Best wishes.