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1968 Gibson Crest


bluemax7

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Hello, I have obtained a unique guitar. The guitar belonged to a famous guitar player and was given to another famous one of kind guitar player during a television show they performed together. The reason I stated this was to see if someone has ever seen a guitar like this. The serial numbers show that the guitar is 1968 Gibson rosewood Crest Gold. But the neck has the Flowerpot Logo like a Byrdland built from 3 pieces, but it has splt block inlay like a super 400. I have searched near and far to find a neck like this. I believe it was a special order from Gibson. The case is original with diamond jubilee tags still in the case. I guess I am asking has anyone encountered a Gibson Like this?

 

.__480_360_Crest%20007.jpg

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I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. I've never seen a Crest with a flowerpot head inlay; or split block markers. I have seen quite a few Crests. I have seen quite a few Gibsons with non-standard features (such as the head inlay, fretboard inlays, etc) that were either custom-ordered that way or had been modified. It's not clear to me whether yours is custom-ordered that way or modified.

 

From your photo, it appears that it also has non-standard pickups. Crests normally had floating mini-humbuckers ("Johnny Smith pickups") attached to the pickguard. Yours appear to be built-in humbuckers (and the pickguard has deeper cuts as a result).

 

Also, the end of the fingerboard (where it meets the body) should be flat on a Crest. Yours is pointed like an L-5.

 

More photos would be helpful. I can't tell if that's a rosewood body or a walnut stain (on laminated maple) like on an ES-355 from that era.

 

Very nice guitar, at any rate... and very unusual.

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Forgot to mention... the bridge saddle looks like the ebony Johnny Smith type, rather than a rosewood type found on Crests.

 

Also, the bound f-holes and toggle switch location are what you would expect to see on a Crest.

 

Is the guitar fully hollow, or does it have a maple center block inside the body, like the ES335/345/355 models?

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You have hit on all the things I have discovered also. I will post more pics when I get home. I am pretty sure the body is a Crest, it has the inlay down the middle of the back, but again something different ,,it has a beautiful mother of pearl inlay on the heal of the neck. I also notice the pickups were not standard Crest as well as the bridge seems to be a Byrdland type bridge as well I believe the neck is a Byrdland design but not sure because of the split block inlay . The body is hollow like a 330 and thin. The tailpiece is a gold Bigsby B7 all gold no black. But I will get better pics. Thanks for your reply. It belonged to one of Gibson's front stars in the late 60's and early 70's. So I was wondering if they made it for him this way.

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I believe the neck is a Byrdland design but not sure because of the split block inlay.

Of course' date=' inlays aside, a standard Byrdland neck is narrower (only 1 5/8" wide at the nut) than the more common 1 11/16" width, so you might want to check that. The flower pot and "pointed" fingerboard are also standard L5 appointments, as you probably know.

 

It belonged to one of Gibson's front stars in the late 60's and early 70's. So I was wondering if they made it for him this way.

That seems like a strong possibility.

 

I see that you're in Tennessee... I would recommend showing it (or photos of it) to George Gruhn in Nashville.

 

Looking forward to seeing more photos! :)

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Man, you are a genius. The neck is exactly 1 5/8 at the nutt. I can't thank you enough, i never thought of that. I knew the number of frets didnt match a L5, but did a byrdland. I will post alot of pics when I get back home where my camera is. This just keeps getting deeper, hahaha I love it.

 

Chet

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Man- you are a genius.

Well, I've been uncertain about a lot of things in this discussion, but I'm certain that this is NOT correct! [crying]

 

The neck is exactly 1 5/8 at the nutt. I can't thank you enough, i never thought of that. I knew the number of frets didnt match a L5, but did a byrdland. I will post alot of pics when I get back home where my camera is. This just keeps getting deeper, hahaha I love it.

Man, this is just starting to sink in how cool that guitar is. You are a lucky man.

 

I was looking at the bridge placement, and it dawned on me that it's much higher than on a Crest... then it dawned on me (I'm such a genius <img src='http://forum.gibson.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/eusa_doh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':-"' /> ) that the neck joins the body at about the 14th (?) fret on a Crest, whereas on yours it appears to join at about the 19th (?). So many unusual things about your guitar...

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Chet, that looks to be a very, VERY special one-of-a-kind "piece" you have there. A wonderful custom variation on what is already a pretty rare and desirable old Gibson model (in other words, it would be something to cherish even if it were a standard issue of the Crest).

 

I am always a bit skeptical (which I think is healthy) until it's clear what I'm looking at, and the photo in your initial post wasn't quite enough to convince me that you had a custom-ordered Gibson. I'm pretty well convinced now. It's not the fanciest rosewood I've seen on a Crest, but it's still pretty, and the detail on everything (the inlays, the pickguard, etc) is top drawer.

 

Again, I would urge you (strongly) to show this guitar to George Gruhn and get a formal appraisal done. Once you've done that, you may not photograph it with your shoes, or leave it sitting where a dog can knock it over! [biggrin] (I'm a dog lover too, but really, I would be very careful with that guitar).

 

I'd love to know what Mr. Gruhn says about it, by the way. Thanks for sharing the photos! [blink]

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Chet - I have a Crest I have always loved them. Your Crest is amazing! I agree that this looks to be a VERY special one-of-a-kind Custom guitar. Your photos have made my day. Can I ask you if you have measured the scale length?

I will check back to see what more you find on this beauty.

DC

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First, Thank you Jim, for your insight and help. I have many rare guitars, but this one had me going and I am still searching it out, which I love to do. Thanks again, Chet

 

Hey Dave thanks, I would love to see pics of your Crest. I will keep posting updates if I find out more on this Crest.

 

I dont want to drop names about the previous owner at this time but I do have video evidence that might explain why this guitar was built special for him. Have a great day.[biggrin]

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The serial numbers are 809841 and not 899841 like we thought, making the guitar a 1969 which makes more sense with a Crest being built 1969 to 1972 I believe. Do you know any serious collectors that might want to purchase this guitar? It will have a high price but besides being one of a kind, we have documentation of 2 very famous guitarist that owned it. One since it was built and then given to another picker as a gift.

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Do you know any serious collectors that might want to purchase this guitar? It will have a high price but besides being one of a kind' date=' we have documentation of 2 very famous guitarist that owned it.

"serious" collectors...? "high" price...? "2 very famous guitarists" that owned it...?

Sorry, but... [confused]

 

Let me ask you this, Chet. Do you know who George Gruhn is?

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Yes Jim, I know him very well. I met him at numerous guitar shows. Since I am related to one of the guitarist and they have passed on recently, I was hoping to find someone out of the Nahville area that would be interested in a piece of history and a collectors dream. I would not part with it but I am following his instructions and I have about 22 vintage guitars of my own. The money is not for me. I guess I'm not sure how to handle something like this. Maybe you are right and George and his vault are the way to go. In the words of this guitarist when seeing my shock at receiving this instrument and his instructions "Son, calm down....it's just a board with strings on it" ;)

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Yes Jim, I know him very well. I met him at numerous guitar shows.

Okay, I guess the third time I mentioned him must have been the charm. #-o

 

Since I am related to one of the guitarist and they have passed on recently,

My condolences.

 

I was hoping to find someone out of the Nashville area that would be interested in a piece of history and a collectors dream.

Don't understand what you mean by "out of the Nashville area" (sometimes the phrase "out of", as in "out of Nashville" means "in Nashville"). I guess I'm not sure I understand your "instructions". Either way, this guitar is special and has considerable value, no matter where the eventual buyer is located.

 

I guess I'm not sure how to handle something like this.

Seems odd, since you own 22 vintage guitars. Maybe it's the potential value that has you feeling so unsure, which is another good reason to get an appraisal.

 

Maybe you are right and George and his vault are the way to go.

Not sure what you mean (again). I'm just suggesting that you have him appraise the guitar. I'm sure a consignment might also be a good option, but that's up to you.

 

In the words of this guitarist when seeing my shock at receiving this instrument and his instructions "Son, calm down....it's just a board with strings on it" :)

Well, this is certainly not that. Like I said, even a standard issue Crest is something to be pretty excited about, in my opinion.

 

So, do I have this straight...? Famous guitarist "A" had this guitar custom built by Gibson. Guitarist "A" gives the guitar to famous guitarist "B". Famous guitarist "B" is a relative of yours, and asks you to sell the instrument. If that's the case, I'm puzzled as to why guitarist B couldn't have told you it was a custom-ordered Crest, built in 1969 for guitarist A.

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Ok, lets see here, you should be a detective :) Guitarist B may have known if it was special built for guitarist A, but did not relay this information to me at the time of the transfer, nor due to the nature of such guitars floating all around him throughout his years do I think it mattered to him what it was now. I did not ask questions because of the failing physical condition of guitarist B at the time it was given to me. I was pretty upset myself. Yes you are right after some time had past I got out the 3 guitars that were transfered to me and had no problem knowing the values of two of the vintage pieces, but then realized what I thought was a vintage ES330 was not. Then all the special work came in to play and the unique neck. That explains my appearance here doesn't it? So finding the original Diamond Jubilee purchase Tags in the case with name of Artist A flight stickers still on the outside of case and knowing that artist A was a big Gibson man I was guessing that is was special built for him but maybe not. Yes out of Nashville meant somewhere else. So, sorry for the mystery but I need to put some questions to rest before I come clean. Then as you might suggest......a msg board may not be the place to do so. CHet

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Ok' date=' lets see here, you should be a detective [biggrin'] Guitarist B may have known if it was special built for guitarist A, but did not relay this information to me at the time of the transfer, nor due to the nature of such guitars floating all around him throughout his years do I think it mattered to him what it was now.

Okay, I guess I can sort of understand how guys who had access to multiple "special" guitars could take them for granted. To me, it's kind of crazy that a guitar like this could be taken for granted (and the provenance and model info not passed on to you, seeing as you were charged with selling the thing), but regular folks like me don't even get to see a guitar like that very often. [biggrin]

 

I did not ask questions because of the failing physical condition of guitarist B at the time it was given to me. I was pretty upset myself.

Understood, and again my sincere condolences.

 

Yes you are right after some time had past I got out the 3 guitars that were transfered to me and had no problem knowing the values of two of the vintage pieces, but then realized what I thought was a vintage ES330 was not. Then all the special work came in to play and the unique neck. That explains my appearance here doesn't it?

Sure, I've just had a hard time sorting all of this out. No offense, but when somebody says they have 22 vintage guitars, I sort of assume they can recognize an ES-330 when they see one. I don't know how old you are or how long you've been a guitarist/collector, or how you came by your collection, so I'm not trying to put you down. I just find it a little surprising.

 

So finding the original Diamond Jubilee purchase Tags in the case...

What does this mean? I have a general idea of what a diamond jubilee is, but not in this context.

 

So, sorry for the mystery but I need to put some questions to rest before I come clean. Then as you might suggest......a msg board may not be the place to do so. CHet

Hey, no problem. I'm enjoying this, believe me. It's a privilege just to see your photos and talk about such a neat old guitar. A message board is a great place to talk about this, just not the best place to try to sell it. If you show it to George, I'd love to know what he says. Thanks again, Chet.

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I guess you would have had to been there, when I got these guitars to understand.

Yes, I have collected guitars through the years.......the ones I wanted. 1958 Fender Strat, 1956 Les Paul Special, 1960 Es 335 Dot, 1939 Gretsch Syncromatic 400, 1964 Martin D28, 1980 Les Paul Heritage 80, SG S3 with 3 single Coil pickups 1 of 400 thought it might have value on down the road, 1960 Gibson J45 to name a few, but I had never heard of a Gibson Crest until I could not identify this guitar on this thread. So I have some great guitars but am I a professional collector? Nope! But I grew up around and work for famous guitar pickers and artist. So I have gifts and could get nice guitars. I am 52 years old, play the blues on a 1985 SG Cobalt Blue (rare color for that year). I also like my Sea Foam Green Strat I built out of parts or a Sea Foam Green 61 Telecaster Re-issue. Dont take the good stuff no where :)

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And just to throw something else into the mix' date=' could the 1-5/8" nut width simply be typical of the era? I've had a couple late 60s 'skinny' neck Gibsons. Never measured them but they were ungodly skinny.

That's a good point, which hadn't occurred to me. It should have, because I just recently saw a late-60's Epi Sheraton that had a narrow nut like that.

 

I've only played one Crest (in a store, back in the late 70's), and I don't recall the neck being that small, but that was a lonnnng time ago.

 

At any rate, I guess anything would have been possible with a custom order like this (although it does seem to come close to having all the attributes of a Byrdland neck, aside from the f'board inlays).

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When I opened the neck compartment inside the original case, there was the original Gibson Care booklet, A tag that used to hang on the tuners showing what Gibson Strings they suggested to use and another tag that used to hang on the tuners..... a Gibson Diamond Jubilee which I researched and found it was used to promote 1969 Diamond Jubilee Gibson 75 year anniversary. But also there was a shipping label to the television show that Artist A was so famous for.

That's all I know about that label, I could take a pic if you like. But with this in the case along with the key still in the brown envelope, also makes you think it was directly shipped to Artist A. But again I may have to talk to Artist A to get some answers. :-

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That is why I came here to converse with all you Gibson Guru's. I can not find not one pic, I mean not one after months of internet research. A neck that has 1. Flower Pot Logo 2. Split Block Inlay . I looked for a long time before I even thought of coming here. But I also could not find another Guitar body made of Rosewood with the splti down the back, and the Abalone inlay at the heel of the neck, with the pickup selector location. The only one that comes close is a Crest, but then there's the neck?????

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Chet, the comments about the narrow neck were just to suggest that this aspect of your guitar might not have been so unusual. The other things (inlay near the heel; combination of flower pot and split block inlays; built-in humbuckers on a "Crest") are unusual, and it's highly likely that it's a one-of-a-kind custom order. No surprise that you couldn't find another guitar like this anywhere.

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I agree, the guitars in that model and era may have had the narrow nut width. Hey thanks for taking time to discuss some things about the guitar. I am learning. Funny thing, old guitars seem to hold the energy of all the music that was ever played upon them.

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