JB Mollohan Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Greetings, I just purchased this bad boy. The label is faded thus I am unable to look up the serial number to identify the year. Any thoughts on year? Regards, Bartley
j45nick Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 The label may have faded, but a close-up photo of it would actually be useful, given what I can see in the photo.
aliasphobias Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 1914-1920 at a guess by the soundhole inlay and single pickguard support, and straight headstock inlay. Yes, a better picture of rosette & label may help to narrow it down even more. Congrats and welcome.
Jayyj Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 If it's a snakehead with a trussrod, doesn't that preclude it being a teens guitar? My understanding was that the snakehead was introduced in 1922, the trussrod shortly after and then the oval hole changed to a round one in 1928, and if that's the case '22-'28 seems like the likely range for this guitar. The ones I've seen with the snakehead / straight logo were later 20s examples.
aliasphobias Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 If it's a snakehead with a trussrod, doesn't that preclude it being a teens guitar? My understanding was that the snakehead was introduced in 1922, the trussrod shortly after and then the oval hole changed to a round one in 1928, and if that's the case '22-'28 seems like the likely range for this guitar. The ones I've seen with the snakehead / straight logo were later 20s examples. That may be correct.
slimt Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Hi.. check inside to see if there is a disk under the top..with three legs.. also.. as anther mentioned ,,22 to 28 time frame..
goaty76 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I agree with the others with it being from the 20's. A shot of the tuners might help narrow it down a bit. Phil
bobouz Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 A few Gibsons with adjustable truss rods were built at the end of 1921, but for general intents & purposes, 1922 is considered to be the first year of this feature. Scour the inside, especially around the heelblock, for a stamped Factory Order Number. The FON number will tell you what you want to know, and it is actually more accurate than serial numbers on the label from this period. If you are lucky enough to find it, consult Joe Spann's book on Gibsons from 1902 to 1941. His research accurately breaks down FONs. The label on your guitar is consistent with the teens and early twenties. If you are even more lucky, the FON will lead you to the golden years of Lloyd Loar, 1922 to 1924. I have an "A" model mandolin from '22. Any Gibson from the Loar era is generally going to command a higher value than a similar model from the years immediately before or after. Your guitar won't be worth a fortune, but it's desirability will be enhanced. Sweet instrument, and best of luck tracking down it's year of construction.
Pesh Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I can't help with the identifying, but boy that thing is pretty
goaty76 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Spann's book linked that FON to a 1928 L-5. Maybe you read it wrong? Or the book is wrong? Or...it's Gibson and anything can happen. Phil
JB Mollohan Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 I am going to pull the strings off tonight a photograph the inside to insure that i have the right number.
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