raslo Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 I just bought this guitar - I'm very happy with it as a player - but I would like to know a little more about it. The guy I bought it from thought it was an L30 but I suspect it's an L48. Also he said it was mid-'30's; the coloration and headstock seem correct to this. However the tailpiece...I have never seen (wood) tailpiece on a Gibson before. They were common on war-time Epiphones, so I wonder if it is a replacement. Also I haven't seen black tuners on this model before. So I wondered if anyone has any opinion as to year and model? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Looks like a wartime L50 to me, with no steel truss rod and the wooden cross bar. Gibson was known to make “Special“ models during this time with non standard features too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) I agree with KS daddy Looks pretty nice. Edited September 13, 2019 by slimt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raslo Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 Thanks guys, when I look at the L50's it seems right. So I assume it's anearly '40's model? Can't seem to find the difference between an L48 and an L50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raslo Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 Here are two full pictures . I'm very pleased with it, it's very clean, no cracks, low action, intonation spot on. Very little cosmetic wear, just missing the pickguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, raslo said: Thanks guys, when I look at the L50's it seems right. So I assume it's anearly '40's model? Can't seem to find the difference between an L48 and an L50. F holes on the L48 are larger or wider. L50 are skinny or thinner . Yours reminds me of 39 ,40s style by the logo Maybe earlier Edited September 13, 2019 by slimt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 I had a 1948 L-48 with skinny F-holes similar to the OP's guitar, a truss rod & modern logo. The top was solid pressed mahogany, the back was solid mahogany & flat with bracing, and the sides were solid mahogany with fabric support strips (essentially the back & sides looked like they came straight from a flat-top). Have never seen another one like it. Lots of interesting variations during the '40s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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