fretplay Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Hi Guys, Can any member help me with the model and date of this guitar please. It has Made in USA 1820 stamped on the back of the headstock and stamped Made in USA Kalamazoo Michigan on a label inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Looks like an old L-50 to me. Can't help you on the year much. I'd guess late 30s to mid-late 40s, based only on the headstock logo. Someone may have the factory order numbers though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 The "Made in the USA" leads me to believe it is a much later guitar. I can't remember when they starting stamping them in the back of the headstock but I want to say it starting in the 1970s. I am sure someone here knows. Is there a FON or serial number on the label inside the body? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Nice L50... as stated above... the Made in the U.S.A was started back in the 20s. I believe it was for export purposes.. correct me if Im wrong.. Nice Guitar though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 . Fretplay - You lookin' to buy it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I can't find any reference to a "made in USA" stamp on the back of a headstock until the beginning of the Norlin era, about 1969-1970. Not saying this guitar is from that period--I just don't find a definitive reference in any of my "vintage" sources. Only a serial number,label, or ink-stamped FON will be definitive. If it is a paper label, it should be white, and oval, if it is a truly vintage instrument. I'm out of my depth on f-hole arch-top acoustics, in any case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Actually, zooming the photo to 400% seems to show a label in the upper f-hole, where it should be. What's on the label? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Slimt is right about the Made in USA on the export guitars. I had an L-50 (early 50s maybe) that was brought over from Canada with it. It may or may not be consistent and universal but it did show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Hi... This Poinsettia I own is from the late 20s.. the back of the headstock and a paper label inside.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks for your help guys. The export thing is interesting as the guitar is currently in the UK. This might explain the Made in USA bit. Nick, as you asked the pick guard is floating and the label reads Made in USA by Gibson Inc Kalamazoo Mich. Seems like it is an L50 but the age is difficult. Any help would be appreciated. Oh yes BigK not sure whether I'll buy it, you interested? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I can't tell much from the photo provided. Detailed photos of the peghead, tailpiece and bridge would help. Also, look around inside the guitar for for more numbers and letters What I can tell you about the evolution of the L-50, and what I can surmise from the single photo, is this: 1936 - Body changed to the "typical" 16 x 20 shape (as shown), tailpiece added raised diamond. 1938 - Ebony bridge changed to rosewood. 1952 - Fingerboard inlays changed from dots to trapezoids. The peghead logo will also help determine a specific "era", and I can't tell from the photo. This guitar should have a "factory order number", usually visible through the lower f-hole, but... during WWII many guitars had no numbers, especially the "budget" models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Looking at the peg head Script, Small F Holes, unbound fingerboard, unbound Pickguard.. My guess would be a 1938,1939... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 .... Oh yes BigK not sure whether I'll buy it, you interested? If you pass on it, I'd like the info for a look-see. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hi... This Poinsettia I own is from the late 20s.. Is that a uke or a tenor? Of all the graphic-ed guitar-like-objects I've seen, I'd say I like this one the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hi.. Its a Soprano Ukuklele... One of 8 or so Known.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.