DavidCommins Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Well hello there everybody. I was walking through Philadelphia the night before last and look what I found leaning against a pile of trash waiting for the garbage truck in the morning. By my best estimates (there are no discernible serials or labels) it's a late thirties, early forties L-12. The neck is in fantastic shape and all of the original hardware is present save the bridge. The machine heads are down to steel, and the body is cracked pretty badly in 2 places. This is my dream guitar. I've wanted one of these for half my life. So my question is, where do I go from here? I've never rehabbed a guitar before. Should I send or bring it to Nashville or would it more or less be the same to bring it to a master luthier in New York city? Money is only a secondary concern to getting the best, most authentic repair. Thanks! David
rustystrings Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Yes, it is a postwar L-50. Not a carved archtop, but still solid spruce. Since it is neither a rare guitar nor one with a lifetime of personal sentimental attachment, I would say don't send it to Gibson but instead find someone in your area who does really good work at reasonable rates. From what I can see, it needs to be cleaned, have two top cracks fixed, have the tuners cleaned, lubed and fitted with replacement buttons, located an appropriate bridge and string it up. That shouldn't be outrageously expensive. Just on general principles I would suggest not refinishing, though if you really feel the need to have the cracks touched up, you could - but why? It's a cool guitar, and you have nothing in it, and frankly I am most jealous - but go see how much they're going for before spending gobs of money on it. Good luck, and we wanna see pictures when it's done!
onewilyfool Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 That looks like a neck off a CF-100 ??? Did the L-50's get "Les Pau;" necks during that time period??? I thought the J160 and CF 100 were the only acoustics that had those fret markers??
zombywoof Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 That looks like a neck off a CF-100 ??? Did the L-50's get "Les Pau;" necks during that time period??? I thought the J160 and CF 100 were the only acoustics that had those fret markers?? The L-12 was pretty unique looking and are easy to identify. Believe me I know, a friend has been trying to sell me a 1937 L-12 for about a year now. The fret markers on the guitar in the pic are what you would expect to see on a later 1940s L-50.
zombywoof Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 As to the original question, the cracks can be repaired by either gluing, cleating or by using a glue-soaked linen. Other than a simple gluing the crack repairs will probably involve removal of the back. Not a big deal but it will be a bit more expensive. If the back does have to be removed I would not recommend doing the repairs yourself. If you do not know what you are doing, not only do you run the risk of doing more damage to the guitar during the removal but if you ever tried to line a back or top back up with the sides it is a royal pain in the butt. If it is just the tuning buttons that need replacing that is an easy fix. Just buy some replacements, remove the tuners, get a propane torch, heat the tuner shafts, then pop the new ones on. Again though, while a pretty easy task, it may still take you a few times to get the hang of when is the time to put the buttons on so if unless you have something laying round you can practice on first it is best to have somebody else do it.
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