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dating my L50

koabill

By koabill
in Gibson Acoustic

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koabill

koabill

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

I am trying to date an L-50 that I inherited. My uncle was a police officer and acquired it from the evidence locker sometime in the 50s or 60s.

It has several bullet holes that he must have patched with wood putty.

It has 997 stamped inside the F-hole folled by what looks like a small circled m. The Gibson decal's dot on the "i" is touching the "G".

 

Thanks

BigKahune

BigKahune

Posted
Posted

Another sad story of a Gibson L50 that won't stay in tune, and an L50 owner with a firearm and anger management issues....

 

It may have been a crude attempt to improve the L-50's sound/tone characteristics. . B)

 

 

.

koabill

koabill

Posted
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Posted

post-37036-004944000 1320334095_thumb.jpg

 

The tuners a 3 in a line with "DELUXE" imprinted on each tuner.

 

Hopefully, the FON is visable. it looks like it's 997 followed by two empty spaces where maybe there used to be penciled in numbers..

My best guess is 1947 from some of the websites I have found.

BigKahune

BigKahune

Posted
Posted
... Hopefully, the FON is visable. it looks like it's 997 followed by two empty spaces where maybe there used to be penciled in numbers..

My best guess is 1947 from some of the websites I have found.

 

Sorry for the jokes. . B)

 

Yes, 1947 fits with the 997. How about a nice size picture of the whole guitar - overhead shot, no angles?

j45nick

j45nick

Posted
Posted

Sorry for the jokes. . B)

 

Yes, 1947 fits with the 997. How about a nice size picture of the whole guitar - overhead shot, no angles?

 

 

All my sources say 1947.

koabill

koabill

Posted
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Posted

post-37036-038157400 1320335542_thumb.jpg

 

The dark spot just in front of the bridge is one of the "patched" bullet holes.

Also, the bridge is an obvious replacement as it is metal and adjustable.

The tail piece is also too shiny to be the original.

All kidding aside, it does have a "thin" tone and is not one of my "regular" playing

guitars, but it looks cool hanging on the wall. Would replacing the metal bridge with a wooden bridge

"help" with the tone at all? I do have an attachable DeArmond "Guitar Mike" that came with it, so I guess

I could always plug in. All and all it is a very comfortable instrument to play. It's light

and it fits the body well....ashame about the tone though.

DanvillRob

DanvillRob

Posted
Posted

The dark spot just in front of the bridge is one of the "patched" bullet holes.

Also, the bridge is an obvious replacement as it is metal and adjustable.

The tail piece is also too shiny to be the original.

All kidding aside, it does have a "thin" tone and is not one of my "regular" playing

guitars, but it looks cool hanging on the wall. Would replacing the metal bridge with a wooden bridge

"help" with the tone at all? I do have an attachable DeArmond "Guitar Mike" that came with it, so I guess

I could always plug in. All and all it is a very comfortable instrument to play. It's light

and it fits the body well....ashame about the tone though.

 

I like it!

 

I can picture me playing the theme from "Peter Gunn" on it!

BigKahune

BigKahune

Posted
Posted

.

Thanks for the photo. Looks fit in with the date and looks in decent shape.

 

Regarding the tone - First, what kind of strings are you using and what gauge? If they're light gauge, try mediums on it (13-56). Check the bridge feet - I don't like felt on mine. And check to make sure the bridge is in the right place by measuring the scale length (24.75"?). With metal saddles I would expect the tone to be a bit brighter than with wood.

koabill

koabill

Posted
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Posted

I just emailed someone at archtop.com and he said :

 

"Yes indeed: the metal bridge is for electric guitars only, and is not

original to this model. It acts as a giant mute

for the soundboard. "

 

Sounds like I need to order a compensated rosewood bridge!!

 

I see a lot of websites offering these from anywhere from $20 - $25.

Can anyone recommend one of these?

How about a real Gibson bridge? Does anyone know where to get these?

 

Thanks for all who responded....I will let everyone know if the rosewood bridge and Med strings make a difference.

jdd707

jdd707

Posted
Posted

Dating an L50? I thought you could get arrested for that!!

 

In Alabama you can get arrested for for dating any model guitar, even if you are in love with your Gibson. However it's OK to date and marry your first cousin.

j45nick

j45nick

Posted
Posted

In Alabama you can get arrested for for dating any model guitar, even if you are in love with your Gibson. However it's OK to date and marry your first cousin.

 

I think they got confused and upset when they heard about "man on 'hog...." stuff. Didn't know it was just me playin' my J-45.

 

(I can get away with saying this about Alabama. I was born in Mississippi.)

DanvillRob

DanvillRob

Posted
Posted

In Alabama you can get arrested for for dating any model guitar, even if you are in love with your Gibson. However it's OK to date and marry your first cousin.

 

 

Well, you've heard the definition of a virgin in Alabama?

 

An ugly 3-year old.

 

(that's even a bit much for my sick humor)

jdd707

jdd707

Posted
Posted

I think they got confused and upset when they heard about "man on 'hog...." stuff. Didn't know it was just me playin' my J-45.

 

(I can get away with saying this about Alabama. I was born in Mississippi.)

 

 

Actually, "man on hog" is also legal in Alabama, except on Sundays. In Alabama we say "thank God for Mississippi". We are never lower than 49th in most catagories (health, education, wealth, housing) 'cause Mississippi is always #50.

j45nick

j45nick

Posted
Posted

Actually, "man on hog" is also legal in Alabama, except on Sundays. In Alabama we say "thank God for Mississippi". We are never lower than 49th in most catagories (health, education, wealth, housing) 'cause Mississippi is always #50.

 

All too true, I'm afraid. On the bright side, I bought my old J-45 in Jackson in 1966 ($50, very second-hand), so good things can come out of Mississippi. Most of my family still lives there (Laurel).

koabill

koabill

Posted
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Posted

I ordered a new rosewood bridge for the L50, but I will need to slot the bridge.

Does anyone know the proper bridge string spacing for the L50?

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