Old "Bakelite" products

[Gutch220]

was Bakelite used on old Gibsons. Specifically, the tuning pegs on old 1930's L-00 guitars?

[ksdaddy]

I don't believe bakelite was used on them. I suspect they were all celluloid. I know many tuners had black buttons, particularly from the 30s but I think they were just black celluloid.

 

I don't know why, but seems like they didn't start disintegrating until the 50s or so. I know they can survive or they can rot with little explanation except I suspect the ones stored in their cases took it worse on account of outgassing.

[dg3086]

What was the material used on the old "Century of Progress" Gibson? This guitar made in the mid-1930's used some sort of celluloid or bakelite on the fretboard and headstock.

[Gutch220]

I have an old L-00 from the '30's and I was just wondering what the tuning pegs were made of. They are white/off-white in color.

[J45dale]

The listings I have say, L-C (Centery), Gibson Flat-top, 1933-1941, used white pearloid on the fretboard ahd peg head.

I don't know what Pearloid really was made from.

Note; the 1933 list price on this 14 fret model was $55.

Dale.

[rar]

I don't know what Pearloid really was made from.

 

Pearloid is a kind of (or "is made from", depending on how you look at it) celluoid.

 

-- Bob R

[Gibson CS]

I hear if you rub true bakelite till it warms up, itll smell like formaldehyde.

That how you can tell if its real.