hrtfxr Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I was looking at a beautiful 2005 F5 and considered buying it. But the tailpiece is not like what I am seeing on line. This one was like a distorted "D" rather than the solid piece that is typical. Anybody know if there are more than one style tailpiece? Looks like it belongs there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Not sure what you're describing. An F5 was always a mandolin, for starters (but knowing Gibson, it could be a guitar now :blink: ). I'm not aware of a major change with the L5 tailpiece, although they did vary it slighly as long ago as the 90's, I think. Maybe if you could link to a photo or two, somebody might be able to address your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 Yes, L-5, duh! Sorry. I have pics on my android but haven't figured out yet how to get them to PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Maybe you're referring to an L5 tailpiece without the center insert?... The only other variation that comes to mind from recent decades is this one from the 90's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 This one was like a distorted "D" The "distorted "D" makes me think GUILD. The general design of the L-5 tailpiece has not changed since '39-'40. Although there have been "minor" (cosmetic and mechanical) changes through the years, the most notable, as pictured (and stated) above, was a batch of L-5's made around 1990 that had the inlayed ebony "insert" versus the traditional silver piece. I own one of these era instruments and always found this an ODD MOD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Here is a pic of the tailpiece. Is it a special edition? Might not even e an L-5. I don't know the archtops well being an acoustic guy. The guitar model isn't on the guitar. Thanks, Bob http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131127.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Not an L5 tailpiece. Not an L5 pickguard. The top does not appear to be spruce. The cutaway looks wrong. The tip of the fretboard binding looks wrong. Who is selling this guitar? Did they tell you it's a Gibson L5? Did they provide you any other photos? How much are they selling it for? Have you tried to educate yourself about Gibson L5's? Based on your one photo, I'll go ahead and suggest that this is a fake (or a very poor attempt at a copy), and someone is possibly trying to con you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 He was set up at a flea market with some other nice stuff. He didn't know but was told L5. There is no sticker but sure looks like a Gibson to me. The headstock is right for the L5. Could be another model? I am prettty knowlegable about Gibson/Martin acoustics with a collection. But I don't know these archtop guitars. I didn't buy it but got his number and am trying to ID it and price it so maybe buy it ($1500). I don't think it is a fake. It is a nice guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 He was set up at a flea market with some other nice stuff. He didn't know but was told L5. There is no sticker but sure looks like a Gibson to me. The headstock is right for the L5. Could be another model? I am prettty knowlegable about Gibson/Martin acoustics with a collection. But I don't know these archtop guitars. I didn't buy it but got his number and am trying to ID it and price it so maybe buy it ($1500). I don't think it is a fake. It is a nice guitar. That is not a Gibson guitar. Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 That is not a Gibson guitar. Danny W. Just to elucidate--Nothing about it is correct: f-holes pickups bridge tailpiece body shape frets binding finish Not a thing looks like it was ever inside a Gibson factory. Compare each item I mentioned to the photo Jim posted and see for yourself. Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 OK I get it. I won't pursue it. Thands everybody. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 OK I get it. I won't pursue it. Thands everybody. Bob ARIA?? DG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 The one photo that we were allowed to view did not even include the headstock. If Bob saw this guitar in person at a flea market, you would think that it must have at least said "Gibson" on the headstock. Thus, it's a fake. If it didn't say "Gibson" on the headstock, then I don't even know what to say to Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Flea markets and Gibson L5s don't seem to go together. That's an outright fake and samples of it have been floating around ebay for a while. Now I see why Gibson doesn't sell its tailpiece as an aftermarket part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 I wouldn't have called it a Gibson without the headstock logo. It looks real to me. I suspected that maybe it was another model? Here are some other pics. The first is the headstock, I believe. Thanks, Bob http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131128.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131127.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131128a.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I wouldn't have called it a Gibson without the headstock logo. It looks real to me. I suspected that maybe it was another model? Here are some other pics. The first is the headstock, I believe. Thanks, Bob http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131128.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131127.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/hrtfxr/0519131128a.jpg Phony inlay, wrong binding, wrong markings on rear. Still not Gibson. Gibson has used different inlays over the years for the flowerpot, but none like this. Here's one from 2003: Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 It looks real to me. It's not. The guitar under discussion is neither an L-5 or a Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtfxr Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 OK, you guys would know. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 If you're looking at an L-5, you should educate yourself on what a genuine L5 looks like. There are lots of good pictures on the web. That one at the flea market is NOT one of them even though it says "Gibson" on the headstock. I must have seen a dozen of these Fibsons to date. They all seem to come out from the same factory because they bear the same wrong body form and detailing. I hope the guy selling it at the flea market didn't pay too much for it. It is not worth even $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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