Gibson LG-0 or LG-1?

[Franco45]

Have done a lot of research already and could use some help. Can’t tell if this is an LG-0 or an LG-1.

I purchased in the mid to late 60’s, serial number 580973 indicates made in 66, 67 or 69 (according to one web site). I probably bought in 66.

Can anyone tell me if it’s an LG-0 or LG-1? And why? Some LG-0 had spruce tops and rosewood bridges, like the LG-1.

However, the bridge seems upside down from most photos I have seen. Could it have been replaced? I thought I bought new but not positive.

Link to larger and more images in Dropbox. Sorry don't know procedures so uploading 3 more important images to this thread. Admin please delete if not allowed. (sorry can't upload more)

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4mkal3abnq5290kaymzub/AFIT6IChEGdFlOyKU9v8z4E?rlkey=rpqrfal8tvp5d3t89jouri5th&st=0tl0gzha&dl=0

Any help appreciated! Thanks, Frank

 

Edited July 22 by Franco45
correction

[Franco45]

[Franco45]

[Dave F]

This is from Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson flattop vintage guitar collecting (guitarhq.com)

LG-0: 1958 to 1974. mahogany top, ladder braced, natural.

LG-1: August 1942 to 1974 (no production 1943-1945), X-braced and brown finish/mahogany top in 1942, ladder braced spruce top/sunburst finish after WW2.

[Franco45]

Thanks, I have to redig, but apparently some LG-0 were built with spruce tops, and rosewood bridges. Not very common but possible.

I ran across but have to find again.

Some LG-0 also had plastic bridges that were later replaced with rosewood ones, another link I ran across.

I also ran across references that both LG-0 and LG-1 were ladder braced, X-bracing did not happen till LG-2. Will find.

Of course did not save all my links, thank for the feedback!

[Dave F]

The only production LG1 x braced was a lot of about 100 guitars built in 1942 along with a lot of LG2 and LG3 and shipped out during the war years. LG2 were the only model carried forward during the war. After the war, they started up the LG1 as ladder brace and restarted the LG3 models. Here's some more from the previously mentioned site.

LG-0, LG-1, LG-2, LG-3, B-25, B-25N Flattops
Three LG-1, LG-2, LG-3 models were all introduced in August 1942. But the LG1 and LG3 stopped production right after introduction (only about 100 of each model was produced in 1942), leaving just the LG-2 as the only model made through WW2. All three models had different top/brace materials. The LG-1 had a mahogany top and chocolate brown top finish, the LG-3 had a blond natural spruce top, and the LG-2 had a spruce sunburst top. So the most common war-time (banner logo) 14.25" Gibson was the sunburst LG-2. After WW2 the LG-1 and LG-3 were reintroduced, but now the three models had different features between them (the LG1 for example now had ladder bracing with a spruce top and sunburst finish). In 1958 the LG-0 was introduced as the new low-end flattop model (ladder bracing, mahogany top, brown top finish).

Collectibility: Script logo (pre-1947) LG-2, LG-3: C+, all others: D-.
The LG-2 and LG-3 due to their spruce top and "X" bracing, are much better instruments than the LG-0 and post-WW2 LG1 models. B-25 and B-25N models, although X-braced, are constructed with adjustable bridges and other 1960's features that make them undesirable. Unfortunatly, since all models are essentially student models with narrow 14 1/8" wide bodies (2" narrower than a J-45, and .5" narrower than an L-00) and are quite plentiful, they are not real collectible (though the script logo LG-2/LG-3 are quite good for their size and some people do collect them).

LG-0: 1958 to 1974. mahogany top, ladder braced, natural.

LG-1: August 1942 to 1974 (no production 1943-1945), X-braced and brown finish/mahogany top in 1942, ladder braced spruce top/sunburst finish after WW2.

LG-2: August 1942 to late 1962. X-braced spruce top, sunburst (replaced by B-25 in late 1962)

LG-3: August 1942 to late 1963 (no production 1943-1945). X-braced spruce top, natural top (replaced by B-25N in late 1962)

B-25, B-25N: late 1962 to 1977. X braced spruce top. Available in 12 string version too.

All are 14 1/8" to 14 1/4" wide, mahogany back and sides (except for some WW2 models some had maple back and sides), mahogany neck (except during WW2, when maple laminated necks were used), dot fingerboard inlays, 24.75" scale length, silkscreen gold decal "Gibson" logo. The "X" braced models are decent little guitars. The ladder braced LG-0 and post-war LG1 are not very good, essentially beginner's guitars.

 

1958 LG-0 introduction specs:

14 1/8" wide Mahogany top, mahogany back and sides, straight ladder bracing, black bridge pins, screw-on black pickguard, tortoise binding on top and back, 3 on-a-plate tuners, rectangle rosewood bridge, rosewood fingerboard, 20 frets total, 3-on-a-plate tuners, natural finish. Bridge pad was spruce, which unfortunately would wear out from the string's ball-ends.
In 1962 plastic bridge used. $85 list price.
In 1963 an injection molded styrene pickguard was used.
In 1966 rosewood bridge with adjustable saddle was used.
In 1968 spruce top on some models.
In 1974 discontinued.

 

August 1942 LG-1 introduction specs:

14 1/8" wide Spruce top, X-bracing, mahogany back, no lengthwise center seam on inside back, mahogany sides, mahogany neck, rectangle bridge with black pins, single bound top and back, sometimes darker sunburst finish (darker than the LG-2, to hide the lower quality spruce top). "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner logo. Only about 100 made in 1942, production ceased until 1946.
In 1946 the "banner" is dropped (still a script "Gibson" peghead logo). Bracing changed to ladder.
In 1948 goes to a "block" Gibson peghead logo.
In 1955 larger pickguard with point, and 20 frets total.
In 1962 plastic upper belly bridge. $105 list price.
In 1966 rosewood bridge with adjustable saddle was used.
Discontinued in 1968 but seen as late as 1974.

 

August 1942 LG-2 introduction specs:

14 1/8" wide Spruce "X" braced top, mahogany back and sides, single bound top and back (though some had triple bound tops), fire stripe teardrop pickguard, 19 total frets, rosewood fingerboard, rectangle rosewood bridge with black bridge pins, two pearl dots on bridge, dot fingerboard inlays, 3 on-a-plate tuners, sunburst finish. "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner logo. The only small body banner logo model made in great numbers during WW2.
In 1943 standard tortoise pickguard.
1943-1945: Some war-time models have a mahogany top and/or maple back and sides. In 1946 the "banner" is dropped (still a script "Gibson" peghead logo).
In 1948 goes to a "block" Gibson peghead logo.
In 1949 a 3/4 scale (23") LG-2 was introduced, with ladder bracing.
In 1955 larger pickguard with point, 20 frets total, lower braces.
In 1961 has cherry sunburst finish, no pearl dots on bridge, $115 retail price.
In 1962 has white bridge pins.
In late 1962 replaced by B-25.
Early LG-2 models are actually a decent little guitar, since it has "X" bracing.

 

August 1942 LG-3 introduction specs:

14 1/8" wide body with spruce "X" braced top, mahogany back and sides, triple bound top, teardrop tortoise pickguard, 19 total frets, rosewood fingerboard, rectangle rosewood bridge with white bridge pins, two pearl dots on bridge, dot fingerboard inlays, 3 on-a-plate tuners, natural finish, "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner logo. The LG-3 is essentially an LG-2 with a natural top finish. Only about 100 made in 1942, production ceased until 1946.
In 1946 the "banner" is dropped (still a script "Gibson" peghead logo).
In 1948 goes to a "block" Gibson peghead logo.
In 1955 larger pickguard with point, 20 frets total, lower braces.
In 1961 adjustable saddle.
In 1962 bridge becomes plastic upper belly, $127.50 list price.
In 1963 Replaced by B-25N.

 

Late 1962 B-25 introduction specs:

Continuation of the LG-2 with minor changes such as triple bound w/b/w top, cherry sunburst top, plastic bridge, laminated bridge plate, thick pickguard.
In 1966 rosewood bridge with adjustable saddle was used.
Discontinued in 1977.

 

1963 B-25N introduction specs:

Basically the B-25 was the continuation of the LG-3 with minor changes such as cherry finish on the back and sides (only), natural top, plastic bridge, laminated bridge plate, thick pickguard.
In 1966 rosewood bridge with adjustable saddle was used.
Discontinued in 1977.

[Dave F]

Here's my '42 LG1

 

 

[Franco45]

Thanks for the info and pix Dave F. Lots to mull over... I think there were some variations even in 1966-67 (my guitar build) regarding exact LG-0 vs LG-1 construction. I bought new or almost new. Had no work done except neck straightened.

What is strange with mine is the bridge seems "upside down" from most I have seen, I wonder if it was an original LG-0 with plastic bridge replaced with rosewood.

Does this look original on any guitar?

[Dave F]

I did a quick search, and it looks like 1966 started off with the belly down adj and set version then sometime in the year went to the belly up and stayed with that.

 

[Franco45]

Thanks again Dave F, lots of variations here lol. The luthier that straightened the neck put Martin light 12-54 (80/20 phosphor bronze) on it but the local guitar guru gave me D'Addario Phosphor Bronze EJ15 .010-.047  Extra Light Gauge and my ear is not that great (why I gave up playing guitar).

Any recommendation for best strings on it? 

[Dave F]

I normally use custom light gage, but I have a couple vintage ones that I worry about string tension and use the Martin Silk and Steel. I'm with you on the hearing.