Does this look legit to you guys? 1976 Gibson j 45/50 serial 00171825

[Bran bran]

Price seems too good to be true. Serial number seems to line up. 

 

 

http://Gibson Acoustic Guitar https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/chl/msg/d/port-charlotte-gibson-acoustic-guitar/7256914455.html

 

[Dave F]

Looks legit with the one picture. Those years are not that desirable or easy to pinpoint the exact year unless you're really into that era.

1976 J-45/50 Gibson Serial# 00171825 Good condition

• Gibson Serial Numbers, early to mid 1970's.
  • All models, stamped in back top of headstock. "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped below the serial number in back top of peghead, in the same size type, and on two lines with "U.S.A." below the "MADE IN":

    Number          Year
    ------          ----
    6 digits + A    1970
    000000's        1973
    100000's        1970-1975
    200000's        1973-1975
    300000's        1974-1975
    400000's        1974-1975
    500000's        1974-1975
    600000's        1970-1972, 1974-1975
    700000's        1970-1972
    800000's        1973-1975
    900000's        1970-1972
    A + 6 digits    1973-1975
    B + 6 digits    1974-1975
    C + 6 digits    1974-1975
    D + 6 digits    1974-1975
    E + 6 digits    1974-1975
    F + 6 digits    1974-1975

[MorrisrownSal]

Looks legitimate.

if someone were inclined to fake a Gibson, I’m not sure they would choose this vintage as well, as they tend to be heavier built. 

[j45nick]

It looks legit in that photo.

Sal's and Dave F's caveats apply.

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by j45nick
correction

[cunningham26]

As others have said this definitely looks legit, and I'd say for $500 it's a pretty good deal. the 70s gibson acoustics aren't really sought after because they had additional bracing making them heavier while at the same time muffling the open sound most guitarists are looking for in an acoustic. You'd find better players in that era for about the same money in Alvarez or even those martin copies, some of which sound amazing. But it's got Gibson on the headstock so who knows, maybe people will come around to them in which case you'll tell the story of getting it when things were cheap.

as someone in the market for an 80s strat I consider vintage, you really just do never know!

[zombywoof]

Nothing much to add.  The 00 prefix does say 1976 and I believe it will be a decal rather than stamped into the wood.  And $500 is a killer price.  I would give it a good inspection though as the price seems a bit too good.  If you are unwashed when it comes to acoustics and what to look for bring somebody with you who does know.    To me, a guitar like this is a perfect candidate for replacing the end pin with a jack, slapping a good soundhole pickup on and playing it plugged in.  Are there guitars I would be more inclined to buy on the cheap?  You betcha.  But I do not care what guitar it is, if it has 6 strings and is playable you can have  blast with it.  And the day I forget this is the day I will hang it up because I will have forgotten what it is all about.

[Boyd]

Looks a lot like my 1974 J-50 Deluxe. But something is different about the tuners/headstock. Mine has the Kluson-style tuners with the small bushings but that one has big washers around pegs, like rotomatics. Perhaps Gibson changed to different tuners in 1976? Also impossible to tell in that photo, but my headstock has a stained natural finish where you can see the wood grain. This one looks more like a black headstock from that photo. The pickguard also looks much darker (and maybe thicker) than mine, which is thin and reddish-colored. Anyway, I agree with the sentiment that there wouldn't be much profit in faking a '76 J-50.

Here are couple pix of mine. I replaced the tuners, the originals had metal buttons but were the same vintage-type. Looks like the original label inside the soundhole is missing from yours.

 

 

 

Here are my original tuners, FWIW

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by Boyd

[Jinder]

I'd grab that in a heartbeat. 500 sheets? Steal!