Holiday Hoser Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Anyone have an idea as to the the value of this 1930's The Gibson (Robert Johnson?) L-1 I think they want 2700. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Nice. Not a bad price. Either. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) The guitar is actually not what they commonly call the Robert Johnson L1 which would be a 1920s version. The larger lower bout and burst finish combined with the 12 frets, no pickguard lack of soundhole binding, and"The Gibson" logo makes this one out to be a 1930-1931. And yeah, $2700 is a killer price unless there are a number of condition issues which do not show up in the photos. Edited February 5, 2020 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 What ZW says. It's hard to know if that is the original finish, but the guitar appears to be intact with no obvious signs of damage. I'm guessing the top at least has been refinished, as there's no sign of a pickguard shadow, and no pick damage around the soundhole. ZW and others here will know better about the finishing process used around 1930. The most common issues you may encounter are the need to re-glue braces, plus maybe a neck re-set. More pictures might be helpful, but if it's as good as it appears to be, that's a great price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) Finish doesn't appear to be original (though, a 1930 L-1 would not have had a pickguard) and bridge is an oversized replacement. Given these observations, price seems about right. Edited February 4, 2020 by jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holiday Hoser Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Thanks guys I think I'll pass on it. They did have a 72 Tele Thinline I liked for $450 but me thinks it was a reissue.(pawn shop) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 a Refin for sure.. https://slo.craigslist.org/msg/d/atascadero-vintage-1930s-the-gibson-1/7056036650.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 (edited) As far as finish and bridge comparisons go here is my '32 L1. This one has a bit of Gibson quirkiness as it does have soundhole binding. I also would not be too quick to pass on it because it is not 100% original.. The early-1930s 12 fretters are truly something. and have darn near reached legendary status. You will not find anything else like them. Leave the question of originality to the collectors, Edited February 5, 2020 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 5 hours ago, zombywoof said: As far as finish and bridge comparisons go here is my '32 L1. This one has a bit of Gibson quirkiness as it does have soundhole binding. I also would not be too quick to pass on it because it is not 100% original.. The early-1930s 12 fretters are truly something. and have darn near reached legendary status. You will not find anything else like them. Leave the question of originality to the collectors, So true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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