Tcarlisle Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 (edited) Hey Gibson forum! Just trying to do some research on a friends guitar and I need some help. I believe this to be a 1963 Gibson thin line es-120t but I cant find one with this white pickguard. I know they are prone to cracking and I'm wondering if someone just replaced the original black with a white off of an Epiphone Granada or something? Any ideas on which model this is would be helpful, its a 108XXX serial number which should date it between '63-'67.. Thanks! Edited September 28, 2019 by Tcarlisle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 The white guard looks nice on it..👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Sorry no help identifying what that might be. Unusual to have a pickguard like that covering up where the second F-hole would normally be. Pickguard is aged and cracked and might be the original? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcarlisle Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 Quote It probably isnt the original. Thats the only explanation I can come up with not being able to locate another one with a white pickguard. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 That's the stock pickguard for the Epiphone Granada, which is a Kalamazoo-made clone to the ES-120. It's possible that Gibson borrowed from Epi parts when the guitar was built, or someone replaced it later, or it was special ordered that way. If I recall correctly, there's only one F-hole on the instrument, and an access cutout under the pickguard. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDoug Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 The slightly cheaper Epiphone came with white pick guard -- this pick guard apparently has been salvaged from an epiphany and installed on this instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDoug Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 IAutocorrect, I hate you - you are my worst enema. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 I hate that ducking autocorrect. I thought someone was making repros for the 120.... I wish I could recall where I saw it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 (edited) I think that it may be an original, in the 50's and 60's there was a whole slue of aftermarket pick guards loaded with pickups. Most of these had components that set above the guitar top. There was Schaller, De'Armond, and many others including McCarty Gibson that built many variations. This one, on the OP's, is mounted on the surface, meaning they had to allow for the components on the back of the pickguard to match holes in the guitar top. So basically I think it is very possible it was built that way at Gibson. Some McCarty Gibson Archtop styles. In the 50's and 60's Gibsons were not sacred cows, but were modded to get what ever the player needed out of them. A famous player could incite a signature model. Edited April 21, 2021 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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