MegaGainz Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 I go estate sale shopping a lot and was lucky enough to find this old Gibson. I purchased it without knowing much about it other than I wanted it and loved it's sound even with the dead strings. Came home and started looking things up and realized there was no serial number in there which I guess isn't uncommon for this particular guitar. Only found one online that matched the description and is listed for sale at the moment... Is this an insane value on this guitar or is this accurate? https://bit.ly/3VnEvdk Anyhow attached are a few pics I took of her. Has one small crack coming up the front, but other than that it looks great for it's age and plays well. Not sure if I have the original case, but it definitely has age to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 limited to images due to file size, but here's one of the headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 The first pic has an angle that makes it look smaller than a J, but I can't tell. Maybe a L? If lower bout width is full 16", then you have a J. I don't know about 10K, but you should be pinching yourself and hoping you don't wake up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) Interesting, appreciate the info. Ya the lower seems to be more like 14.25 at the largest part. And haha, ya, I keep playing it whenever I walk by thinking the same thing. Edited October 15, 2022 by MegaGainz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 LG1 (hope not), LG2 (thumbs up). The LG2 has the typically preferred and more valuable Xbrace, looking like a V shape just under and below the sound hole. Straight across brace is ladder bracing, the LG1 design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) I think that's the definitive info I needed. It's and LG1 - ladder bracing from what it looks like in there. Been trying to find a good image of the innards from LG2 and LG1 from the era but keep finding what I would have thought was an lg1 listed as an lg2. https://reverb.com/item/10641446-1946-script-logo-gibson-lg-2-demo-added Like this guitar seems to have the same bracing as mine without being able to see further down in there. Been looking at it based on this comparison article: https://reverb.com/news/ladder-bracing-vs-x-bracing-hear-the-difference Edited October 15, 2022 by MegaGainz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Plenty of ladder-lovers here. You'll hear, I'm sure. Have that center seam crack cleated as soon as you can, so it doesn't run under the bridge to the sound hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 Awesome, thank you again for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Surprised to see a center strip inside on the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 16, 2022 Author Share Posted October 16, 2022 ya, i haven't been able to find one (online) that's setup just like it. wondering if someone hasn't done a little modifying to it at some point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 21, 2022 Author Share Posted October 21, 2022 Thanks for the help everyone... have been looking nonstop and believe it is a 1946 LG-2 https://reverb.com/item/10641446-1946-script-logo-gibson-lg-2-demo-added Finally got some pics that allow me to match a few things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Yeah, but what about the straight ladder bracing? Doesn't that make it an LG1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 Ya, Im a bit confused about that. Could be that the one ad i sent is just misrepresented. Issue I am running into is that I can't find a single example of a 46-47 (script logo) LG-1 anywhere. Have found a couple descriptions about the differences but nothing that helps me really identify the model with 100% certainty. Maybe it's just a rare one-off no one's ever seen before... wouldn't that be sweet haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 (edited) Well, that visible confirmation of the bracing configuration would seal the deal either way. If it's ladder braced it's no LG2, although there was a specific Banner period where Gibson built a few Xbraced guitar called LG1. If you play it and like it, not intending to sell, then just enjoy it. It could probably use a set up to make it easier to fret. Hopefully not needing a neck reset to lower the action. That's expensive. Edited October 24, 2022 by jedzep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Just to check if we're on the same page, when we say x-bracing we are talking about the underside of the top, not the backside of the guitar. You should be able to feel the V shape just inside the sound hole toward the bridge Here's a picture of a 1942 LG1 with X-bracing. The only year they made the LG1 as an X brace even though they were shipped throughout the war era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 That's exactly the info that I needed! Was definitely looking at things wrong as I was looking at the back of the guitar. It is in fact an X brace then. Sorry everyone... newbee over here. So given that it's X brace, gold script logo, I think means it's a 1946-1947 LG-2. Really appreciate all the solid information. In the case is a brace from the inside of the guitar that Im guessing became unglued when the cracking started happening to the front. Will probably look at getting that and the crack fixed up. Can anyone give me an idea of what estimated cost to get a 6inch crack cleated? As far as playing it goes though I can't notice a single issue with it. The action feels smooth and low so I don't think there are any neck issues with it. Holds notes perfectly fine and resonates well. And yes, while I enjoy playing the guitar, I'm definitely more of a random strummer than I am a musician. I'll probably keep it a while and have the crack fixed, but given that it's more of a collectors guitar I would feel a little guilty keeping it. Having said that, I've said that about a lot of things I've thought I may someday sell and never do haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 (edited) Congratulations! Good thing Dave revisited and caught the confusion. That's a sweet little guitar, running in the vintage price realms above 3K these days. Nevertheless, since you have a center seam top crack forming on a burst top, it's important you seek out an experienced vintage Gibson restoration guy, so the guitar doesn't devalue. How sturdy AND how visible the repair is may affect it's worth. Typically, the guitar will be kept in a humidified room to help rejoin the seam naturally, then the repair will be made. Let us know what part of the country you're in and folks here can find you a Gibson vintage luthier. I'm within an hour or so from a couple good ones. Might be a couple hundred bucks to do it right. Meanwhile, you might want to buy an in case humidifier system to keep the crack stable, or have an experienced repair shop simply put a temp stop cleat or two underneath if you feel it will take long to find the right luthier. Also, I'd recommend light (10-47) strings until repaired, or slack tuning, or better yet taking the strings off until repaired. With a missing brace, depending on where it was, the tension could cause top distortion Having owned a couple early 50's LG2's, I'm a big fan. Dave Edited October 26, 2022 by jedzep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaGainz Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 Im located near Austin, Tx. Really appreciate all the input. Going to go ahead and remove the strings and look into a humidifier for the time being, would hate to cause anymore issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 (edited) Oh boy! You're in 'guitar heaven' with good hunting for your Gibson restorer. Keep us posted. Edited October 26, 2022 by jedzep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Plenty of good luthiers in Texas. You may want to post something in the Acoustic section to get some recommendations in Texas. Gibson Acoustic - Gibson Brands Forums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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