CRock Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Hey guys. My grandpa has just given me his gibson acoustic and i would like to know if someone could help me find the year it was made and so on. i looked on a website with the gibson serial numbers and it said my serial fell under the 1903 year which i dont know it thats true. the serial number is 1022 thats it. its only 1022 i couldnt find any other numbers or letters. thank for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Post some detailed photos, there are other ways to determine the "era" of manufacturer other than just the serial number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Can you give us any more info? Is it a small body, arch-top, etc.? Pics would help a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 working on that now. my grandpa bought the guitar used in 1971 when he was in college and its been in his basement ever since. the bridge popped off once and it had to be screw back down. i also just got new strings on it the other ones were old and corroded. it also has some nicks in it but other than that its in good condition. wide neck http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06459.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06458.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06457.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06456.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06455.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06453.jpg http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll394/GSXC_Runner/DSC06454.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Looks like a 1930s-era L-00, to my (fairly unpracticed and I still need my morning coffee) eyes. Perhaps 1934? I'm sure someone with more experience in the small-bodied guitars will chime in. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 ok thanks! how sure are you on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 ok thanks! how sure are you on that? Just you wait and see - Lovely (and lucky) little guitar. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Definetly L-00. Year? Who can say. Regardless, a very nice and collectible guitar. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 thanks guys! amazing to know! staying a family heirloom definatly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 I'm with Fred on this one: a circa 1934 (from the size and shape of teh sunburst) L-00. After market bridge bolts, obviously. A nice guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 anyone able say how much it may be worth? and how much it would be to restore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I was going to post... but I noticed this is from December 2010... Nice Guiitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 I was going to post... but I noticed this is from December 2010... Nice Guiitar... still same guitar just wondering how much its worth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Restore??? ...I would leave it as it is.. You have a JEWEL.. Dont mess with it... you even think of a Restoration.. it will be worthless. It looks like there are two screws holding the Bridge down.... Maybe ask here who these Folks would recommend for repairing .... they may know of one in your area.. If I was to guess on a Value.... I would say 3000.00 .. But If I was you... I would keep the strings loose till the bridge is fixed properly.. No need in seeing the Top getting damaged... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Are those replacement tuners or just replacement buttons? Me thinks tuners.... What a great guitar to have, family history AND a great vintage piece! I would spring for the cost of having the bridge done right. That baby is SWEET! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Are those replacement tuners or just replacement buttons? Me thinks tuners.... What a great guitar to have, family history AND a great vintage piece! I would spring for the cost of having the bridge done right. That baby is SWEET! For your question you got me beat, i have no clue. Yeah some serious history behind it. from your personal opinion struma6, what would the value be? and if I kept it, how much would the guitar increase in value? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 The above is almost right. According to Joe Spann's Guide, batch 1022 was a batch of L-1s in '34. And this is actually a L-1 -- it's got a bound back, and the L-00 had an unbound back in '34. $3K might be about right if you're trying to sell it, but you should insure it for more. With a good bridge replacement and proper tuners, and a little bit of work -- any loose braces glued, a neck reset (if it needs it), ... -- a dealer might be able to get $4.5K, or even $5K, for it. If you decide to have the work done yourself, be sure to have an expert in vintage guitar restoration do the job. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig910 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 That's a lovely vintage '34 L-1 - looks to be in remarkable shape except for the awful repair to the bridge. This guitar needs a professional bridge repair and a checkup for anything else that might be needed after 77 years and you'll have a cool player good for the next 77 years. The "firestripe" pickguard is correct for a '34, and those strip tuners also appear original for a '34, although probably need to be replaced. I'm sure a matching set could be found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRock Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 ive decided to just keep it for now, so I have a family heirloom for my great grand kids to enjoy someday. I just need to know anyone's recommendations for repairing the bridge and getting some body work done. I live near lancaster, pa. any good people you guys know of? theres a guitar center in lancaster, would you guys say to go there? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Sweet guitar. Lots of human life history tied directly to that guitar, and most of it is very likely "your" family's history. As you say, the guitar is a family heirloom. Awesome. That guitar is the personification of "mojo." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig910 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 DO NOT take a vintage instrument to a Guitar Center for repairs. I wouldn't let those guys change my strings. Do your homework and find a qualified experienced luthier with good recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I live near lancaster, pa. any good people you guys know of? theres a guitar center in lancaster, would you guys say to go there? No way! Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to recommend anyone anywhere in your area. One way to proceed might be to check with reasonably nearby vintage instrument dealers and ask if they can recommend someone near you. If you're willing to ship the instrument, that would open up a lot more possibilities. If I were shipping, I would probably go with someone who's an acknowledged expert on small-bodied Gibsons of that era -- Kerry Char leaps to mind. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Go to your local guitar center, walk up to the repair person and say "have a nice day". The GC in Hollywood is pretty darn good but I wouldn't take a '34 there. I know a couple people in PA but they're both a ways from you. Reigelsville, Bucks County and a luthier near the Martin factory. If that's not too far, pm me and I'll shoot you the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph1050 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I would trust Steve with that bridge repair... http://www.vintageparlorguitars.com/services.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 1022 is acutally not a serial number, but a factory order number (FON) which dates to 1934 to a batch of L-1s. I would say that your guitar is a 1934 L-1 - NOT an L-00. In 1934 the L-00 did not have a bound back. Too bad about the bridge. those screws are hideous and should be repaired correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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