JustCurious Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 (edited) Hi. I have a Gibson that belonged to my grandfather. It's in really rough shape. I'm curious what type/year it is, but there is no serial number. Thanks! Edited September 22, 2022 by JustCurious Deleted picture 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 (edited) A sweet ol' 30s/40s L00! See about restoration with a good vintage shop. Consult Steve Kovacik if you'd like the bottom line from a guy who knows these guitars. Message me if you'd consider selling as is.https://guitar-repair.com/ Edited September 22, 2022 by jedzep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustCurious Posted September 22, 2022 Author Share Posted September 22, 2022 Okay thanks! I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 Snoop around on Reverb to get a feel for the value.https://reverb.com/p/gibson-l-00-1932-1945 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 The FON (Factory Order Number) will be on the neck block inside the guitar. You get that and you can date it. Just curious, does the guitar have a bound back?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 Looks from the photo to not be bound in back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 Cool! Do a bit of google searching on vintage Gibson L-00 history before doing anything! In good condition, these guitars are creeping towards $8 - $10K, so.... BluesKing777. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 10 hours ago, BluesKing777 said: Cool! Do a bit of google searching on vintage Gibson L-00 history before doing anything! In good condition, these guitars are creeping towards $8 - $10K, so.... BluesKing777. Granted, I have not been keeping up with what these L Series flattops are going for these days but those are crazy high price tags. When I snagged my '32 L1, which was only some 5 or 6 years back, top dollar for a 12 fretter was maybe $5K. The more common 14 fretters could be had for less. Looks like the best bargains out there in terms of an L Series Gibson might just be the 0 size round soundhole archtops. Then again, these lo-fi guitars are not going to be everybody's cup of tea so will be a harder sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, zombywoof said: Granted, I have not been keeping up with what these L Series flattops are going for these days but those are crazy high price tags. When I snagged my '32 L1, which was only some 5 or 6 years back, top dollar for a 12 fretter was maybe $5K. The more common 14 fretters could be had for less. Looks like the best bargains out there in terms of an L Series Gibson might just be the 0 size round soundhole archtops. Then again, these lo-fi guitars are not going to be everybody's cup of tea so will be a harder sell. Nope, the fingerpickers 😄 want a mid 30s L-00 in pristine condition! (think I saw one ...once.... but most are.....err...compromised? That said....and a lotto win could clean out a few items I saw on Retrofret and Reverb and Carter?, I think it was. The first one I ever desired was a black one with firestripe......Retrofret has a black/firestripe from 1938 - were’t the necks getting slimmer by 38? Err....$8500! 🤨 Knew I should have bought a few more! BluesKing777. Edited September 24, 2022 by BluesKing777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 It's cool as heck. Are you keeping it or selling it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 Looks like only honest wear - but mostly just closeted old age: No divots on the fingerboard where the cowboy chords go... don't see any cracks... looks like original tuners... though #1 looks slightly bent... love the pick guard, no idea if it's original... I'd bet this baby would clean up real well with just a little spit and polish and elbow grease. Spend as much time finding a qualified luthier for vintage acoustic guitars as you do in determining it's value. See if he wants to use a piece of scrap mahogany he has laying around to save you $100 from getting a very good match to the fingerboard wood, cut to match the footprint exactly, shaping it as the originals were. There would be an 'as is value' which would have a wider range than the obviously higher value after you had authenticated repairs and restoration work. You said it was your grandfathers - provenance helps. See if you can find a photo. But, sentimental value has nothing to do with actual value - either can be higher or lower than the other. If you decide to part with it, make sure you get top $, to avoid the temptation of selling it for a few thousand to your girlfriends ex- to make her happy. And he'll think it's just an old guitar that he can keep in his trunk. Please let us know how it turns out for you. G'Luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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