bbbacres Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I have an older J50. Man I got it from was almost certain it was a 1958. But as I went to verify I faced a dizzying number of serial number contradictions. The guitar has round shoulders. So it is pre 69. It does NOT have an adjustable bridge, but I know some owners changed that. If it is the original bridge the 58 date looks more possible. But the serial number makes no sense: 823276. Photos attached. No red sticker inside soundhole, long gone. Serial number is clear and impressed on back of headstock. Nothing else, no "made in USA" or anything else. I appreciate your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I have an older J50. Man I got it from was almost certain it was a 1958. But as I went to verify I faced a dizzying number of serial number contradictions. The guitar has round shoulders. So it is pre 69. It does NOT have an adjustable bridge, but I know some owners changed that. If it is the original bridge the 58 date looks more possible. But the serial number makes no sense: 823276. Photos attached. No red sticker inside soundhole, long gone. Serial number is clear and impressed on back of headstock. Nothing else, no "made in USA" or anything else. I appreciate your thoughts. Gruhn and Carter reports the range 820088-823830 as 1966. Those years have a few duplicate numbers, but slope shoulders is consistent with 1966. Check the headstock pitch -- 13 degrees, 65 and latter; 17 degrees 65 and older. Let's pick, -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Double ring rosette makes it post 62. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalex Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 You could measure the nut width. Sometime in 1965 Gibson switched to a narrow nut width from 1 11/16 to 1 9/16(1 5/8). I'm no expert but I do think that looks like a replacement bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 The serial number stamped on the back of the headstock alone tells you the guitar was not built in 1958 unless the guitar had been sent back to Gibson for restoration. I believe the first year Gibson started doing that was 1961. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Very high probability that it was made in 1966, with a bridge replacement. Measure the nut width as mentioned, and '66 will be confirmed if it measures 1-9/16". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 What’s the nut width 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 The book "Gibson's Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars" places that serial number as 1966. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Pretty unambiguously 1966, between the serial number, double ring rosette, serial number embossed on the back of headstock. J-50 in this era (and J-45) would not have had a label inside. If it were 1958, it would have the serial number ink-stamped on the neck block. The serial number would have a T prefix. It should have either "J-50" or "J-50 adj" ink-stamped on the back centerline cleat, visible almost in the middle of the soundhole. That can be hard to see, as it can fade if the guitar has been left exposed to uv rays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP904 Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I’m in a similar situation and cannot tag a year on my old Gibson. J50 adj. bridge is ink stamped but the serial number stamped into the back of head is 10465. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 58 minutes ago, AP904 said: I’m in a similar situation and cannot tag a year on my old Gibson. J50 adj. bridge is ink stamped but the serial number stamped into the back of head is 10465. Any ideas? That should be a 1961 serial number. Hope you're enjoying the guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGL Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Got mine used at Manny's on West 48th Manhattan in '71. J-50ADJ with serial number also stamped on the back of the head 092316. Any ideas? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 1 hour ago, DGL said: Got mine used at Manny's on West 48th Manhattan in '71. J-50ADJ with serial number also stamped on the back of the head 092316. Any ideas? Thanks. 1967. Should have the narrow 1 9/16" nut as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 (edited) Nick, 092316 is essentially a five digit number that references to a timeframe between 1962 and 1964. Nut width should be 1-11/16”. Tricky stuff sometimes! Edit: See below - My info is incorrect & Nick’s got it right - it’s a valid six digit number! Edited March 30, 2021 by bobouz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, bobouz said: Nick, 092316 is essentially a five digit number that references to a timeframe between 1962 and 1964. Nut width should be 1-11/16”. Tricky stuff sometimes! It is also a six-digit number beginning in 0, which is 1967, so I don't know which it is. Gibson Serial Numbers, Feb 1961 to 1970. All models, stamped in back top of peghead. No "MADE IN USA" stamp below serial number! Note many serial numbers are duplicated from 1963-1969. In these cases, to figure out which is the exact year for a guitar, see the General Specs section for more details. ALSO note: It is easy to confuse 5 digit and 6 digit serial numbers from this era, and hence get the wrong year for a guitar. That is, 55555 is not the same number as 555555 (but when reading the number off the back of a Gibson peghead, these two numbers do look very similar!) Range Year ----- ---- 0100 to 42440 1961 42441 to 61180 1962 61450 to 64222 1963 64240 to 71040 1964 71041 to 96600 1962, a few from 1963/1964 96601 to 99999 1963 000001 to 099999 1967 (all 6 digit numbers starting with "0" are 1967) 100000 to 106099 1963 or 1967 106100 to 106899 1963 109000 to 109999 1963 or 1967 110000 to 111549 1963 111550 to 115799 1963 or 1967 Edited March 29, 2021 by j45nick added additional thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Help me date older J50 I usually find a new set of strings and strap will get you a date. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 2 hours ago, j45nick said: It is also a six-digit number beginning in 0, which is 1967, so I don't know which it is. Gibson Serial Numbers, Feb 1961 to 1970. All models, stamped in back top of peghead. No "MADE IN USA" stamp below serial number! Note many serial numbers are duplicated from 1963-1969. In these cases, to figure out which is the exact year for a guitar, see the General Specs section for more details. ALSO note: It is easy to confuse 5 digit and 6 digit serial numbers from this era, and hence get the wrong year for a guitar. That is, 55555 is not the same number as 555555 (but when reading the number off the back of a Gibson peghead, these two numbers do look very similar!) Range Year ----- ---- 0100 to 42440 1961 42441 to 61180 1962 61450 to 64222 1963 64240 to 71040 1964 71041 to 96600 1962, a few from 1963/1964 96601 to 99999 1963 000001 to 099999 1967 (all 6 digit numbers starting with "0" are 1967) 100000 to 106099 1963 or 1967 106100 to 106899 1963 109000 to 109999 1963 or 1967 110000 to 111549 1963 111550 to 115799 1963 or 1967 Indeed Nick, you are correct! I use Gruhn’s 2nd guide, and he’s got it in there, but I missed it within his sequencing. 1-9/16” nut width for sure, as you originally stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torasama Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 I have a j-50 that my father brought to me used in the early to mid 1960's. Stamped serial no. 344614. Printed inside "J50 ADJ BRIDGE" which it has in rosewood. Nut is 1 11/16" and does not seem to be plastic. Neither does the the bridge. Logo has the "i" dotted. Pickguard has the point. Sound hole has a two circle decal. I'm an old man now and it would be great to know the age of this instrument. Memory isn't what it used to be but I thought I got it (used) in late 1963 or 1964. thanks, Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 3 hours ago, torasama said: I have a j-50 that my father brought to me used in the early to mid 1960's. Stamped serial no. 344614. Printed inside "J50 ADJ BRIDGE" which it has in rosewood. Nut is 1 11/16" and does not seem to be plastic. Neither does the the bridge. Logo has the "i" dotted. Pickguard has the point. Sound hole has a two circle decal. I'm an old man now and it would be great to know the age of this instrument. Memory isn't what it used to be but I thought I got it (used) in late 1963 or 1964. thanks, Wayne My initial reaction to your description and the serial number is 1965. Some guitars from that year seem to have the wider 1 11/16" nut, while some are narrower. There are also non-consecutive serial numbers at times in this period, so it is entirely possible the year could be off slightly, as might be suggested by the wider nut. The serial number should be stamped on the back of the headstock. Welcome, and don't feel alone about being old. There are a lot of geezers here, including me. Post a picture of the guitar if you get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 (edited) I am too lazy to go look up serial numbers. But generally your guitar dates to between 1961 when the ADJ saddle bridge became a standard feature on the J50 and others and 1965 when, as j45nick notes, Gibson went with a skimpier nut. As always with Gibson though there will be a transition period so specs may overlap a bit. A new J50 cost somewhere in the $150 range in the early-1960s. It might as well have been a million bucks though back then. So going used made a lot of sense for a whole lot of us. Edited December 23, 2021 by zombywoof 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Yes, 1965 was the transaction year, and included both nut sizes. My since departed ‘65 B-25n had a 1-11/16” nut. And welcome, from one old geezer to another! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 On 3/29/2021 at 5:01 PM, Dave F said: Help me date older J50 I usually find a new set of strings and strap will get you a date. Or try one of the over 50's "senior" dating websites? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Tman said: Or try one of the over 50's "senior" dating websites? I'm past that group. I'd have to go to the nursing home to get a date. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, Dave F said: I'm past that group. I'd have to go to the nursing home to get a date. But on the other hand, when you do get beyond that group, behavior which was once considered obnoxious is now seen an eccentric. I got away with all kinds of ornery attitude and behavior the last years I worked because it got racked up to a "just let it it go, he is simply old" thing. Edited December 24, 2021 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 All this talk about being old geezers reminded me of this Tim hawkins skit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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