Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I have owned this guitar since 1973, having bought it used. I am trying to establish the actual age it the instrument but the on-line resources I have found don't really tell me much. The serial number is 734567 and has the "Made in USA" stamp below the SN on the back of the headstock. Can anyone help me identify the age of this guitar? Thanks, Joe Curry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 What many here would tell you is that it's a 1970 to '73 model. Seen on the bridge, the rectangular fret marks, the tuners and the USA stamp. Opposed to the original H-bird it's probably double-X-braced. How does it sound - after all these years together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I don't know the year of that Gibson Hummingbird, but I sure love the color compared to today's washed out drab brown Hummingbirds. YOUR Hummingbird, is what a Hummingbird is all about. The day they produce THAT brilliant color bird again is the day I'll buy one, and I suspect about a hundred thousand others will also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 What many here would tell you is that it's a 1970 to '73 model. Seen on the bridge, the rectangular fret marks, the tuners and the USA stamp. Opposed to the original H-bird it's probably double-X-braced. How does it sound - after all these years together. It sounds great and promises to sound even better as soon as I get the braces attached properly. They were pulled loose from the top allowing the top surface to sink. It was discovered by a technician where I took it to have the neck planed. It had developed a ridge above the connection to the body and playing on the upper neck would cause the strings to rattle against the upper frets. It is fixed now and I am working on straightening the top and re-gluing the braces. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 It sounds great and promises to sound even better, , , , No need to say we would sing for a little sound-bite. Have you tried this page http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonAcoustics.pdf or others like it. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 No need to say we would sing for a little sound-bite. Have you tried this page http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonAcoustics.pdf or others like it. . . Yeah, I have concluded as mentioned earlier that it an early 70's model but according to that and other links Gibson got all crazy after the 60's and as a result the serialization of the early 70's is very haphazard. I was hoping someone on this forum has a guitar that has a similar serial number (in the same general area) and knows when their instrument was made. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Joe , here's a 1973 hummingbird that sounds really sweet : JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Joe , here's a 1973 hummingbird that sounds really sweet : JC Nice! Do you know the serial number of that guitar? Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thanks Eminor-7 for posting that pdf. Rather than start another topic I thought I'd ask here. I hope this is not considered rude. So, if my Hummingbird is considered low end, it could be a 1966, 67 or 68 and a High End it's likely a 1969. The Serial is 600244. Here are some photos...please let me know what year you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thanks Eminor-7 for posting that pdf. Rather than start another topic I thought I'd ask here. I hope this is not considered rude. So, if my Hummingbird is considered low end, it could be a 1966, 67 or 68 and a High End it's likely a 1969. The Serial is 600244. Here are some photos...please let me know what year you think? it is probably a late 1967 or a 1968 ... the screws on the guard are a dead giveaway JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I don't know the year of that Gibson Hummingbird, but I sure love the color compared to today's washed out drab brown Hummingbirds. YOUR Hummingbird, is what a Hummingbird is all about. The day they produce THAT brilliant color bird again is the day I'll buy one, and I suspect about a hundred thousand others will also. Most know here I'm not a big 'red guitar' fan...but I'm with you on this one.... it's beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 If I had to guess based on other serial numbers I would say the guitar was built in 1972. At the least it is no later than that. The problem is there just has been no driving interest in documenting Gibsons made after 1966 (when Ted McCarty left) so there is really no reliable source out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I don't know the year of that Gibson Hummingbird, but I sure love the color compared to today's washed out drab brown Hummingbirds. YOUR Hummingbird, is what a Hummingbird is all about. The day they produce THAT brilliant color bird again is the day I'll buy one, and I suspect about a hundred thousand others will also. they still do them in the red cherryburst : http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/11143042.php?CategoryID=451&n=20 JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 If I had to guess based on other serial numbers I would say the guitar was built in 1972. At the least it is no later than that. The problem is there just has been no driving interest in documenting Gibsons made after 1966 (when Ted McCarty left) so there is really no reliable source out there. To add to the confusion, one site I found says that Gibson started the square fret markers in 1973. But I have found plenty of other links that show them on guitars that people are claiming are earlier than that. I guess I will just have to conclude that it is a 70 to 72 model and let it go at that. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 what does the Neck Dimensions: .840 1st - .880 9th come out to? Is that 1.75? (This is on the Wildwood link Juan posted) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 what does the Neck Dimensions: .840 1st - .880 9th come out to? Is that 1.75? (This is on the Wildwood link Juan posted) I am assuming those are the thickness measurements between the first and 9th frets. Eyeballing it, I see that mine is about 3/4 inch at fret 1 and about 7/8" at fret 9 making it a bit thinner than the one in that link. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 it is probably a late 1967 or a 1968 ... the screws on the guard are a dead giveaway JC That was my thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Yeah, I have concluded as mentioned earlier that it an early 70's model but according to that and other links Gibson got all crazy after the 60's and as a result the serialization of the early 70's is very haphazard. I was hoping someone on this forum has a guitar that has a similar serial number (in the same general area) and knows when their instrument was made. 1970-71-72-73 - wouldn't make difference in any connection, as I see it. No buyer would prefer one year above another - compared to the value in shape, bursts, tuners and such. Of course it's always nice to know birth of year - an ol' friend after all. Meant year of birth ,-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Regarding Smurfbirds, I'm on the '67-'68 thought. Opposed to the original poster's 1-11/16 Smurfs is the 9/16 isn't it. . . We see a screwed on guard, a narrow nut and a down-belly bridge. My '68-'69 SJ has a screwed on guard, a 11/16 nut and the up-belly bridge. That's G-life. . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 1970-71-72-73 - wouldn't make difference in any connection, as I see it. No buyer would prefer one year above another - compared to the value in shape, bursts, tuners and such. Of course it's always nice to know birth of year - an ol' friend after all. Meant year of birth ,-) I'm not interested in selling it. Just curious about the vintage since I plan on leaving it and all my other equipment to my son and daughter or their kids since we all play! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Yes, it's the tight 9/16. I have small hands, so it's not that bad. I usually tune it down a step and capo on 2 nd fret and it's moe like an 11/16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Yes, it's the tight 9/11. I have small hands, so it's not that bad. I usually tune it down a step and capo on 2 nd fret and it's moe like an 11/16. You guys have lost me on this 9/11 thing. I understand the 1-11/16 is the nut width, but what is this 9/11 you are talking about? Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 You guys have lost me on this 9/11 thing. I understand the 1-11/16 is the nut width, but what is this 9/11 you are talking about? But Mister Curry - there were several different widths over the years. And this counts for all acoustic Gibsons. 1-11/16 - - - 1-9/16 and a 1-5/8 if you go back in time. The ones now are almost all wider. Check the G-site. Can't speak in detail of the 3 first, but they often came in waves - not as a rules embedded in granite tho ;-) Enjoy the research - in fact a very vital and interesting topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Curry Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 But Mister Curry - there were several different widths over the years. And this counts for all acoustic Gibsons. 1-11/16 - - - 1-9/16 and a 1-5/8 if you go back in time. The ones now are almost all wider. Check the G-site. Can't speak in detail of the 3 first, but they often came in waves - not as a rules embedded in granite tho ;-) Enjoy the research - in fact a very vital and interesting topic. I was thinking that was what was meant, but what confused me in the conversation was the missing 1 before the 9/11 (i.e. 1-9/11). Thanks for the clarification! Joe More thoughts: the 9/11 still doesn't make sense to me since it an odd measurement by any standard. Are you sure it wasn't just a typo and you meant 9/16? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I was thinking that was what was meant, but what confused me in the conversation was the missing 1 before the 9/11 (i.e. 1-9/11). Thanks for the clarification! Joe More thoughts: the 9/11 still doesn't make sense to me since it an odd measurement by any standard. Are you sure it wasn't just a typo and you meant 9/16? Of course I did - pardon, , , as proved many times I'm a fool with numbers (also with numbers). It's fixed in post # 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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