brettryantalley Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Hey all! What I think would be a great deal just popped up on craigslist for me for a 1979 Dove Custom. I do notice that, on the soundhole sticker, it does not have additional information under the model number that i'm seeing on most (but not all) dove's from around the same time. Any ideas on why that might be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieDog Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Hmmmm…. I’d proceed with extreme caution. I don’t use Craigslist, but how are you supposed to get in touch with them? There is no contact info? Usually there is some id or something, isn’t there? And Crypto is still a red flag for me. Anyway, besides that, the pickguard looks mighty sketchy, like it might be breaking down/disintegrating already. And the Dove inlay is missing? I’d call Gibson and just see if they have a record of that serial number. I see that is says “Second” which means it presumably left the shop with some issue, but why is the SN not on the label? the label also looks poorly glued which could mean it got wet at some point? Or was just slapped on. These are also all tells of a fake. The Second stamp is a good way to explain away anything that doesn’t look “right.” “Oh, it came like that….” Also, I hate to malign the school system down there, but you know wrong spellings and bad punctuation are typical of scam posts/emails. And Those super zoomed in pics look like some sort of industrial space rather than a private home. I would ask for more pics, like a close up of the pick guard and other areas that aren’t already posted to see if they can supply them. And then there is the 1970s factor… maybe it’s a gem because it’s supposed to be custom shop, but it was a rough decade for Gibson. Good luck. I hope I’m just being overly cynical…but nothing else, even if it is legit, that pick guard will have to go. You can tell it is already into the finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 It’s also posted on Philly craigslist. Most CL sellers don’t ship, but rather prefer cash and carry. Prairie Dogs idea of ask for an unusual camera angle of something to verify the seller actually has the guitar. The strings are high off the fretboard and the saddle is low already. A neck reset could be up to $500. other than potential neck reset, guitar is in fine condition, but those aren’t the most desired years for Gibson acoustics. yes, proceed with caution… Odds are seller might not even get back with you after asking for additional pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 It would not have had the serial number on the label. They stopped that when they got away from the orange oval labels (when even applicable) and didn’t start back up putting the s/n on the labels until ‘83 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 And as stated, no saddle left and high action. I can’t say for sure if they were using the paddle under the fretboard extension in 1979 but if so, you will have a hard time finding anyone to do the reset and the price will likely be more. That, and the fact it is a double x braced 70s Gibson does not add up to an attractive package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I happen to own a '79 Dove...just that color. I suspect it's authentic.... the back is colored just like mine and is two pieces. The pickguard does look sketchy. Since it's a "second" it's not worth $1200.00....it it were a "first" it might be. Trouble with a "second" is you don't know why it wasn't good enough when it was made..... it could be playability. A scar somewhere or the replaced pickguard don't bother me....but the "Second" stamp sure does.....I'd get the price down or keep looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 My eyes suck....but I think the SN on this guitar is 72149135. (the 135th guitar made on August 2, 1979 in Kalamazoo). The SN on my '79 Dove is 72189005, (5th guitar built on August 6, 1979 in Kalamazoo). They must have worked out the bugs on this guitar before they built mine! I've had mine since 1980 or 1981. Was not new, but I think my wife paid like $1200 for it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieDog Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 3 hours ago, 62burst said: It’s also posted on Philly craigslist. Most CL sellers don’t ship, but rather prefer cash and carry. Prairie Dogs idea of ask for an unusual camera angle of something to verify the seller actually has the guitar. The strings are high off the fretboard and the saddle is low already. A neck reset could be up to $500. other than potential neck reset, guitar is in fine condition, but those aren’t the most desired years for Gibson acoustics. yes, proceed with caution… Odds are seller might not even get back with you after asking for additional pics. Posted in Philly and Atlanta? as they said in that one movie, “Run away! Run away!” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieDog Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 3 hours ago, ksdaddy said: It would not have had the serial number on the label. They stopped that when they got away from the orange oval labels (when even applicable) and didn’t start back up putting the s/n on the labels until ‘83 or so. Thanks for that info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brettryantalley Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 hah! y'all are great. i definitely don't make purchases off of craigslist unless i get to see it, play it, etc. i knew there was a chance it wasn't legit, but the label was confusing enough for me to ask the question here. appreciate everyone's responses. we'll see how they respond, but i'm guessing from what i've seen here....it ain't real or worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 58 minutes ago, brettryantalley said: hah! y'all are great. i definitely don't make purchases off of craigslist unless i get to see it, play it, etc. i knew there was a chance it wasn't legit, but the label was confusing enough for me to ask the question here. appreciate everyone's responses. we'll see how they respond, but i'm guessing from what i've seen here....it ain't real or worth it. Just so you know, the label looks legit to me, (looks like the label in my Dove). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brettryantalley Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 well, they stopped responding to my email once i started asking specific questions, so i'm pretty sure i have my answer. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 19 minutes ago, brettryantalley said: well, they stopped responding to my email once i started asking specific questions, so i'm pretty sure i have my answer. Probably saved yourself from some heartache. I love my old Dove...that "Tobacco-Burst" is lovely....I have many Gibson Acoustic Guitars, but I chose this one to take to a TV show taping last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieDog Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 34 minutes ago, brettryantalley said: well, they stopped responding to my email once i started asking specific questions, so i'm pretty sure i have my answer. Always a bit of a bummer though when you get slapped back to reality when you think you’ve found a score, sorry dude. Something even better is coming along. Usually works that way with the bullets I’ve dodged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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