asizemore05 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 A pawn shop in my area took this guitar in and the story they got was the guy carried it with him and played it while in Vietnam. That instantly made me think of the guitars sold to gi's during that time. I really dont know how to tell but am wandering if this one looks right. I am fairly certain the bridge has been replaced and can see it likely had a square one on it. The headstock has a number of 3436 on theback with no other writing i could see and the serial is stamped inside and very light but looks like the following: 8878456 or 9878485. I really cant tell for sure. It plays and sounds very nice. If real, what could value be based on condition? I am just learning to play and would love yo have an original accoustic Gibson to play instead of what i have. Below are links to some of the pics i took of it. https://www.dropbox.com/sc/gjgp3h58qb9d7n9/AAAxrQ6hvvoiNs2VDRR4I3-ia https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4nrwtabpzrjbxhg/AACObwBMif08esvzLzPciTt8a https://www.dropbox.com/sc/vapzfbnhlyn0fmm/AADLcxTaDm5B1VF3bcrGEEvua https://www.dropbox.com/sc/be5vd7ce4s2w3jw/AADODlpsYdfk6l_LXebf77ipa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/ipxqvggnloet3xh/AAALIP6JVK1ypFvBEKyUV12Fa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/mz6axv9gf1rxuhi/AACkg6OCWjyP_BiAdIac7IwAa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/986l3w8qudbhx4e/AACQ0H0G5gHYLEih-Gnk2wzva https://www.dropbox.com/sc/pu2x2xxw2h6tib7/AAA-cOek7DKbk8WBkkd0D6Y5a https://www.dropbox.com/sc/kxqts01x7jpw5ui/AAD-hYMFvX35XJjTq94XsPKMa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/qd845hezfgh3zkg/AACzMsAw-sMeg_WrdsEYyC3-a https://www.dropbox.com/sc/e1xn94dr0jvusz5/AACjWekL7NjV7sgXr2IDZfiSa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/l4ugj3h8v8xvkko/AADr8zpruWJ0mZd4xiwI8h4Xa https://www.dropbox.com/sc/9rcyrfn21nhors9/AAAqJMWVSekwwDRydh7mWrUNa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 This site will be helpful in tracking down the date. http://guitarhq.com/gibson.html#serial Interesting - I am interested in hearing from the vintage folks here too. Most certainly a bridge relacement. It may be just the photography, but it looks small to me. 20 frets, exposing a full rosette. with what we see as the late 50s early 60s pikguard for the J-50. Hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 When i held it to play it felt like a smaller body and i didnt know if that was the right size for this guitar. That was one of the things i questioned. This would be my first gibson but that is exactly what i am wanting to buy to play. An older gibson, just not a fake..lol I pulled a serial chart that i think is from the bluebook and if i was reading it as if it were made in late 60s based on the chart but wasnt certain i was reading the serial or the chart correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grampa Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Looks real to me and probably very nice sounding. It looks like it could use some professional TLC and I think you may have a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Looks like a B-25 to me. The bridge makes me think 1969. Hard to make any assessment as to condition without eyeballing the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 My concert size 1965 LG1 had the same faded cherry sunburst finish and looks to be the same size. Same neck, logo, and pickguards. The LG2 andor B25's from this era also looked similar. The J50 was bigger and was natural not sunburst though the j45 was sunburst. If you say it feels smaller, it could be a LG1 or LG 2 or B25. LG1's were ladder braced while B25's/lG2's were x braced. Otherwise all three looked like the photo. Most from this era, mine included, had their bridge replaced because the factory bridge was plastic rather than wood and either broke over time or were replaced before they eventually broke. LG1's from this era can be found for about $800 to $1200. B25's and LG2's sell for more due to their x bracing. Hope this helps. Jazzman Jeff aka QM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Not an LG-1 because you can see the center strip on the back. The LG-2/3 was replaced by the B-25 before mid-decade. So unless it was built prior to '64 or so it has to be a B-25. I have seen late 1960s B-25s in really nice condition sell in the $1000 range. But again, as the condition of this one cannot really be judged figuring out what it is worth is hard to do. Unless you know what you are looking at it is a you pay your money you take your chances thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 It's an LG3 with a Martin bridge. 63 or earlier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 It's an LG3 with a Martin bridge. 63 or earlier If my memory is correct, that particular wood bridge with the bulge facing downward appears on the B-25 in 1969. The earlier bridges were wood belly up followed by a plastic bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I believe it's a mid-late 1960's B-25 with a replaced bridge. The two different sets of numbers are a bit confusing, but the one on the back of the headstock would suggest around 1964. The number on the inside is not consistent with the numbering formats that I am familiar with, although the first six digits would suggest 1967-'69. The frets are also typical of mid/late 60's. The guitar appears to be genuine. This was originally a cherryburst top, as you can tell from the red overspray on the top brace just forward of the soundhole. This overspray is very typical. I'm guessing this is a very faded cherryburst, rather than a stripped top, as you can actually see the faint outline of the color gradation in the top. As has been mentioned, this is a smaller guitar than a J-50. It has a crack in the top next to the neck. There is no way to evaluate the guitar without a first-hand inspection. The risk is that the cost of repairs could quickly exceed the value if it needs a neck re-set or other repairs that might not be obvious from the pictures. In good condition, this might go for around $1000-1200 or so. But it's not in average or good condition: it's worse. It may not even intonate properly, as it is impossible to know if the bridge is in the right position. It's a pig in a poke without professional inspection. The problem is that repairs of this type cost the pretty much the same, whether made on a $500 guitar or a $5000 guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Oops, your right it is not an ADJ bridge. My eyes ain't what they used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 So the thoughts are that this is a b25 in need of professional work and has what appears to be a non gibson bridge? The pawn shop owner is a friend of mine and was trying to help me get a gibson but needed 600 out of this one and someone has already told me that is likely too much too due to the looks of it. That being saud it does seem to play well but i guess everything would to me since i am just learning..lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 So the thoughts are that this is a b25 in need of professional work and has what appears to be a non gibson bridge? The pawn shop owner is a friend of mine and was trying to help me get a gibson but needed 600 out of this one and someone has already told me that is likely too much too due to the looks of it. That being saud it does seem to play well but i guess everything would to me since i am just learning..lol I don't think I would pay $600 for it unless it needs only minimal work, which is doubtful. You should also measure the width of the fretboard at the nut to see if it is 1 11/16", 1 9/16", or something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Ok, i see, i checked ended auctions on a popular web site and could see that i could buy nice ones for 750 or less in some instances. Thanks for all the help folks. This was a great first experience on the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Not a fake by anymeans.. not sure why something like this would be faked.. But Its been through alot.. and not worth much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Look at the pickguard people ! 63 maybe very early 64 before they changed pickguard material. I don't see anything that tells me it was a sunburst finish. It's either a LG3 or a B25 Natural. Definitely not an LG1. I don't know what year Gibson dropped the LG3 name. EDIT Ok I missed a picture, I do see remnants of cherry on that top cross brace. I say then a very faded cherry burst finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Ok, so one more question. I posted on here originally because i was concerned that this guitar was a fake and i am wanting a real gibson, not a knock off. I now know this one isnt the one i want but the same person texted me pics of a j45 sunburst last night they were claiming was from the 50s. How likely is it that these vintage guitars can be found faked? They said they couldnt make out a serial inside but it does have a long gone music store name from our area inside it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Ok, so one more question. I posted on here originally because i was concerned that this guitar was a fake and i am wanting a real gibson, not a knock off. I now know this one isnt the one i want but the same person texted me pics of a j45 sunburst last night they were claiming was from the 50s. How likely is it that these vintage guitars can be found faked? They said they couldnt make out a serial inside but it does have a long gone music store name from our area inside it. There were a lot of Asian knock-offs of high-end guitars during the guitar boom of the 60's and 70's, just as there are today. This has always been an issue. I assume this is the same person who mis-identified the earlier guitar, so I would have little confidence in his ability to accurately identify this one. If you want to know what the guitar is, post a picture or pictures here, just as you did for the other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Those would be some good pics to put up here. There is a much broader knowledge base on the 50's J-45's. The music shop decal is not only a cool thing to have on an old guitar, but it can help date & possibly authenticate the guitar in question. 'Don't recall seeing any fifties fakes lately, they would've made a big splash around here, if there were any discussed. More likely, copies of Gibson guitars from countries with struggling economies at the time, not much in the way of forgeries made to look like vintage guitars, but one does wonder when guitars such as the J-45 Deluxe currently on eBay that has been cannibailized for it's neck and bridge. Hoping to see those 1950's J-45 pics. Could be older than you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 If you've been looking into gibson acoustics for any amount of time, chances are you can spot a fake one. The acoustics are a lot more obvious than electrics, and I haven't really seen a fake 50s-60s gibson. Sometimes there will be a modern fake with an orange sticker, but really weird qualities that should set off alarm bells. I got my 68 J45 for under $1000- it has the super narrow nut that people hate and needed a little work, but sounds great now and was a great budget buy. Good luck in your search! Keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarjtb Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 It is a real Gibson faded cherry sunburst B-25. Probably 1963 or 1964. 1964 models usually had a thicker pick guard. It has its 3rd bridge on it. The original was probably the 4 bolt plastic bridge that Gibson used around 1963, or an adjustable bridge. The second one was a rectangle shaped over size bridge. You can see the outline. The 3rd one looks like a Martin bridge that someone added bolt holes to. What this means is that the area under the bridge probably looks like Swiss cheese, and may have a lot of torn up wood from the earlier bridge removals. Not a fun repair. LG-2 changed to B-25 designation in 1962 according to Gruhn book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 It is a real Gibson faded sunburst LG-2. Probably 1963 or 1964. While you may well be right on the date, it has the three-ply top binding characteristic of the B-25. And it is almost certainly a faded cherryburst rather than a faded sunburst. I've never seen a conventional sunburst fade that much, but it was very common on the mid-60's cherryburst. Functionally, there's not that much difference between a B-25 and an LG-2. Same body, similar construction. Not even sure why they went to the B-25 designation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 There were a lot of Asian knock-offs of high-end guitars during the guitar boom of the 60's and 70's, just as there are today. This has always been an issue. I assume this is the same person who mis-identified the earlier guitar, so I would have little confidence in his ability to accurately identify this one. If you want to know what the guitar is, post a picture or pictures here, just as you did for the other one. Thank you everyone and i am going to post the pics of the other accoustic that they are offering me in a seperate thread in a minute asking for help identifying it. You folks rock in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asizemore05 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 The post with pics of the j45 that i am looking at now that i know im not interested in this one is in a pist titled "Help ID and age vintage gibson". It is from the same pawn shop and they claim its from the 50s or earlier. I am interested in knowing if its that old, original and if there is anything i should be curious about. I havent handled this one kike i had the one that was identified in this post so i am unsure how it plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarjtb Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 While you may well be right on the date, it has the three-ply top binding characteristic of the B-25. And it is almost certainly a faded cherryburst rather than a faded sunburst. I've never seen a conventional sunburst fade that much, but it was very common on the mid-60's cherryburst. Functionally, there's not that much difference between a B-25 and an LG-2. Same body, similar construction. Not even sure why they went to the B-25 designation. Right on the sunburst. I meant to type "faded cherry sunburst". Not sure when or why they went to the B-25 designation either. I'll have to look that one up. Edit: I changed my original post to agree with Nick's correction. I looked in Gruhn's book and it appears the triple binding and B-25 designation came along in 1962, as Nick stated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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