Dirty Perv Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 I recently have an opportunity to purchase a pre Norlin Gibson acoustic j-50 with the spruce top...the seller says the serial number puts it in 1966 but claims it was manufactured in 1969.... selling it for 1200 bucks....it looks to be in pretty good condition what do you guys think about this? He also mentioned in the end of his ad that it was pre norlin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Perv Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 The seller mentioned although the serial number indicates 1966 , j50 square shoulders werent produced until 1969 hence why he believes it was made in 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 I have a 1965 round shouldered j-50 and a 1974 square shouldered. IMO, $1200 would be a very good price for a real 1966 in good condition. For a square shouldered 1969, it might be a bit on the high side. But without seeing it and playing it, I don't know how anyone could get very specific. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Based on the scant information you have - s/n says 1966 but model says 1969 - it would be a gamble for you. If you get a '66 J50 for $1,200 - you would 'win' more than you would 'lose' if it turned out to be a '69. So, the question comes back to you in terms of how risk adverse are you, and how much can you afford to risk losing? IF you get it, and can post several pictures here - the more informed (than I) members of this forum will be able to answer that question for you, and most others you might have. Then you'l know if you won or lost from an economic standpoint. And, more importantly - whether you love the guitar or not, after having had a chance to bond with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 There were some round shoulder J-50s made in 1969, as well as the square shoulder model. I've owned one of each. The round shoulder was a pretty decent instrument. The square shoulder was nothing special. However, some people I know who have owned one were happy with theirs. Sometimes Gibson serial numbers (or the interpretation thereof) can be more curse than blessing. If I were buying, I'd likely take the chance. I believe you'd probably be able to recoup your money if you decided to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Serial numbers for the years in question did have some overlap, and have frequently been a point of confusion. To simplify identification re the year of manufacture, the bridge is a rather clear indicator on the J-50. A belly-up bridge puts it in the '66 ballpark. A belly-down bridge would have been standard in '69. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 But I don't think there was a square-shouldered J-50 in 1966, was there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 But I don't think there was a square-shouldered J-50 in 1966, was there? No. 1969 would have been the earliest. A photo and the serial number could probably solve the mystery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Check inside under the top.. Double X brace or single.. I had a 69 round shoulder with the double X brace.. as well as a 67 with the single X . Keep in mind the 69 with the double X actually sounded really Nice.. But... you could sure feel the difference between the two years of j50s.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 A photo and the serial number could probably solve the mystery. That would certainly help, but I don't see why it's a "mystery". The OP said the guitar had square shoulders, which is why the seller thinks it's a 1969. Seems like we're getting a little "lost in the weeds" with all the talk about round shoulders (and I was guilty of that myself ;) ) The seller mentioned although the serial number indicates 1966 , j50 square shoulders werent produced until 1969 hence why he believes it was made in 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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