1935 L-50

[jdd707]

1935 Gibson L-50. So I ran across one in a rural ma and pa shop. Jotted down some details and home to do my internet and Spann's research. All seems to check out, including c1935 FON. So here is the description:

 

F holes

all equipment seems to be original'

Pickguard removed not available (small screwholds for these where one would expect)

No cracks or repairs

Case but unsure if it's original

specs check out ie: maple b/s and spruce top and rosewood fret board and so on.

rode but not hard ... minimum fret wear ... strings last changed in the 60's mostly stored since then

bridges (adjustable) seems to be in good shape

 

Asking price $2,000 ... probably some haggle room there.

 

So what do you think? Not a very collectable model, coming during the Depression when base models like this one were produced in greater numbers. But may still be worth some serious consideration for addition to the gaggle.

[zombywoof]

$2K is about what Elderly and other "big name" shops would let a mid-1930s L-50 go at. So the price is certainly not unreasonable but I would expect a lower price from a Mom & Pop store which generally cannot afford to sit on inventory. So if you got it down $150 to $200 I would say you were doing good.

 

But make sure you want an archtop. They are very different beasts from a flat top. I have had a few of them in the house that I was thinking about buying but after living with them for a little bit I found I could not make peace with them and figured if I had an archtop itch I would scratch it with a much cheaper Kay or something.

[j45nick]

I think that's way too much money for an L-50 these days. The archtop market is pretty low right now, and the L-50 has never been a high-priced guitar. I would say half the asking price is closer to realistic.

 

As a comparison, I paid $1200 for a 1947 L-7 (17" carved top and back) in half-decent shape a couple of years ago, and have maybe $1800 in it with a new case, tuners, pickguard, setup, and a fair amount of elbow grease. I doubt if I could get over $2k for it.

 

If the one you are looking at is pristine, the price might be realistic in some markets, but not today.

 

Others may have a different opinion.

[L5Larry]

I with Nick on this one. For $2000 you can get a whole lot more guitar than an L-50.

 

On the open market, a 30's L-50 is about a $1000 guitar, and many can be bought for less.

[dchristo]

jdd, I have a 1937 L-50. its in good shape and plays good....but theres no way Id ever pay $2000 for it

[BluesKing777]

I probably paid too much for my 1935 Gibson L50 Black Finish from Elderly but I am very pleased with it - and they pack and send to Aust. nicely! It is not going anywhere else.

 

 

Here is a clip I did a while back for you to hear the sound - pretty bright:

 

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=kOxpqIErR6U

 

 

BluesKing777.

[goaty76]

I have no connection or financial interest in this guitar. Just noticed it for sale.

 

http://delaware.craigslist.org/msg/3673926879.html

 

A 1935 L-50 for 1K. Looks pretty nice.

 

 

Phil

[fretplay]

Well in Europe they are rare and a good quality one would go for around 2500usd.

[jdd707]

Thanks guys for the words of wisdom. I knew I'd get good info here. My other research seems to comply with y'alls opinion that 2K is top (or over top) price for an L-50. Without the pickguard, certainly much less. Three steps left: find out his real price, take it to my guitar guy to determine the condition of the bridge and neck (reset wise), and make a decision/offer.

 

To some extent, this is a nostalgic purchase since my first guitar was an f-hole arch top albeit Silvertone not Gibson .... perhaps that means I'm coming up in the world lol.