Hellertonian Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Greetings, all - This seems to be a forum frequented by pretty knowledgeable folks, and I'd really appreciate the opportunity to pick your brains right about now. I own what I believe to be a vintage Gibson guitar. I had it appraised recently, and the appraiser identified it as a Gibson Nick Lucas model, circa 1930. The appraiser also believed the guitar had been refinished. A second person who viewed photos of the instrument immediately dismissed the notion of it being a Gibson Nick Lucas model, and ID'd it as a Gibson L-1. He also felt the instrument had been refinished. A third professional in the trade who viewed the photos has ID'd the guitar as a Gibson L-0, circa 1930, and opined that the finish on the guitar appears to be original. Sooooooo -- Would those of you on this forum weigh in and offer your own opinions? SInce I've asked three people and gotten three different opinions, it would be nice to develop a bit more of a consensus. (1) Is this an L-0? (2) Does the finish appear to be original for the model? (3) What's it worth? Detailed hi-res photographs of various parts of the guitar are mounted online at Photobucket, here: http://www.photobucket.com/hellertonian Any light you all are able to shed on the guitar identity crisis will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KilgoreTrout Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Hello, You might find the info on this page useful, particularly the L-0, L-00, L-1 comparison table. http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson6.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 As stated by John Thomas in the Acoustic thread it is a c.1930 Gibson L0/L00 all mahogany construction with a non-orignal tailpiece. This set up is often seen when flat tops need bridge work. The Guitar does look to have it's original finish. Price; For a c1930 L0, 12 fret in all original condition set up to play I would ask $3500. The mahogany topped guitars will not bring quite as much as the spruce topped guitars, but they are still great guitars. The 14 fret version of this guitar is pictured in another thread in this vintage section. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellertonian Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 So the big question is what THIS L-0 is worth since it's not "in all original condition set up to play"? I'm not looking to gouge anyone but I do want to get a fair price for the instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 We'd need better pics of the top (bellying? or, more likely with the trapeze setup, sinking?) and neck angle (need a neck reset?) and bridgeplate to estimate value. From the pics you've supplied, it looks to be in good condition except for the after market tailpiece, bridge, and pickguard. I'm still stunned that the appraiser deemed this guitar a Nick Lucas when it does not have the Nick Lucas inlays, bound fingerboard, multiple purflings on top and back, bound sound hole, label, or extra body depth. Never mind that Gibson never made a mahogany topped Nick Lucas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I forgot about that appraisal. Who ever payed for that should get their money back. 10 minutes with George Gruhn's acoustic book would have indentifyed this guitar as what it is. Having guitars repaired/restored is very expensive work. This guitar in mint condition may be only worth $5K and a clean original 3500-4000. But people are going to have questions trying to figure out what they are going to have to spend to get the guitar back in shape because it obviously has been modified. Selling a vintage guitar can be a real pain. When the guitar is cheap I don't ask a lot of questions, but as the price goes up so do the questions because there is a real limit in it's value. Take more pictures and post it here and ask $2500, but be prepared for lots of questions like John is referring to; neck set, bridge issues, top issues, frets, finish etc. Put it on ebay with a 1K opening bid and no reserve and take what it brings. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I forgot about that appraisal. Who ever payed for that should get their money back. 10 minutes with George Gruhn's acoustic book would have indentifyed this guitar as what it is. Terry, The other amusing aspect is that having concluded that the guitar is a Nick Lucas, the appraiser gave it a value of only $3,500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 The other amusing aspect is that having concluded that the guitar is a Nick Lucas, the appraiser gave it a value of only $3,500 Yes, I didn't think of that! Would have been a great bargain even in this condition. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellertonian Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 Hi, all - Taking the advice I received here on the "Vintage Gibsons" forum, I've listed my Gibson for sale on eBay - in case anyone here may be interested in it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270395565733 Thanks to all for the suggestions and information received on this site. Hellertonian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Good luck. I may even bid on it. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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