gotomsdos Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hi, folks out there ! I'm considering buying an old Gibson J-50 at a good price, good sound. Issue one: The seller says action is quite low and comfortable, does not speak of neck (or reset) and saddle. From the pics he gives, action looks a bit high, saddle looks low. One of my good guitar friends says "action is high, saddle is low, which indicates a neck reset will be needed now or in the short future..." What do you think of the action and saddle height ? Neck reset needed in the short future ? Issue two: There's a hole in the back of the headstock. Is this an issue ? Will this deteriorate ? I emailed the seller about the neck issue, but I also need the comments from friends here. Any input will be appreciated... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 . Regarding the J50 - It reminds me of Del's J-35 situation. In case you missed it, here -> http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/106236-concern-with-my-j35-saddle/ . . . and here -> http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/106580-is-my-j35-over-hummidified/ The action looks okay to me. That hole through the back of the headstock into the truss rod route is only slightly concerning to me - could be plugged with some mahogany sawdust and glue. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotomsdos Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 I did not tell the link is because I was just considering buying it, I thought It was a great deal, so I kept it a secret to keep other guy from buying the great deal on the sly. Forgive me. But I just knew the guitar actually had a very long crack in the side (the seller just added the pic of that crack), so I give it up. now I can tell the link: http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/153307/1951-Gibson-J50-Players-Grade-2500#.UnKCQKzYEp4 Pics here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/115246326837523661539/albums/5938445341172146369 Pics are the same as the pics I posted here. The seller emailed to me saying price dropped to $2200. If anybody is interested in it, just contact him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 The hole in the back of the headstock is a concern to me. The action seems a bit high, although the photo does not really show it properly. It looks like there is very little saddle left, so I would say a neck re-set could be something to consider in the not-too-distant future. I really don't know what's going on in the back of the headstock, but I don't like the way it looks. It's a guitar I would consider only because I have an excellent luthier who could put things right for about $750, including the neck re-set. Otherwise, the guitar looks good if that is all original finish. I don't understand the damage to the back of the headstock. It almost looks like charring from heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 ... I don't understand the damage to the back of the headstock. It almost looks like charring from heat. Might be a hanger/stand bruise/damage by the headstock, but yah, down the backside of the neck is strange. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I thought I had seen mention earlier in the day (possibly a modified listing in seller's ad at UMGF link) of a headstock crack. I could have sworn it was casually mentioned in the ad. Must've been a pretty catastrophic break to result in wood loss/disintegration that would allow that truss rod to be visible from the back of the headstock. A dreadful sight, indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 And what's with the smaller hole between the bottom two tuners???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 And what's with the smaller hole between the bottom two tuners???? Maybe it had a truss rod cover on the back, too. A BIG one ; ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Good price I think If it's original. It's a player. The hole is odd but if it's not affecting anything your the only one who will see it. Plus as stated can be fixed "maybe" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Looks like someone drilled a hole for a strap pin and struck the top of the trussrod, then put one up higher before putting one on the neck heel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 It's quite obvious that the back of the neck below the hole has been shaved down ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 It's quite obvious that the back of the neck below the hole has been shaved down ! Well, maybe it was obvious to you! It is possible a previous owner wasn't a fan of the neck profile of an early 1950's model, had the neck shaved down, & that removed enough material to set the guitar up for the bad break it may have received. That discoloration across the flat area of the headstock would be where the shave was transitioned(?). I grabbed an older J-45, and took a look at how the light reflection shows a much tighter tapered V in the volute area (where a "stinger" would be): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 If those tuners are the original (it is obvious the guitar sported at least another set at one time) I would say that was a 1942 J-45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 If those tuners are the original (it is obvious the guitar sported at least another set at one time) I would say that was a 1942 J-45. Correct tuners back on it, but they are fussy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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