retrorod Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Hey All! Just want to share a recent 'vintage purchase'.. Went to an estate sale of a deceased "band instrument rep" that was a bass player. My buddy had bought an original Ampeg Bassamp ca '55 from the estate,weeks prior to the auction, that I did a restore/cap job on. He said that not much else there but, 3 upright basses. On the day of the auction, I showed up and saw a cheap Brazlian classical on the table and a black softshell case on the ground. Thinking for sure it was an empty case....I opened it and there was a Gibson SJ of.... older vintage...! I knew at least 6 people were intersted in it. Came down to bidding and one other person was driving past $300 AND I WAS PERSISTANT AND WON. Turned out to be a '47-'48. What a SWEETIE! Needs some work.....I am doing it! Pictures to follow!! Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Wow- amazing! Congrats, Rod! B) Looking forward to seeing pics! Seems like I've spent half my life at estate sales, auctions, flea markets, etc, and... this never happens to me (with guitars, that is... I've had dozens of other great finds with antiques/collectibles). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 That would be a Nice one to see.... Congrats.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted November 20, 2011 Author Share Posted November 20, 2011 Here she is... PAT pending Klusons.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Glad she's in good hands now, Rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Swan Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 The small belly bridges on the early SJs are as cute as a bug's ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 A "bug's ear" indeed... and 'very cute'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Wow- amazing! Congrats, Rod! B) Looking forward to seeing pics! Seems like I've spent half my life at estate sales, auctions, flea markets, etc, and... this never happens to me (with guitars, that is... I've had dozens of other great finds with antiques/collectibles). I can relate to your story! I have spent much of my life buying other peoples 'treasures' at yard and estate sales, but have rarely got a great guitar from such venues. This SJ was in a soft case, minus strings and nut. Had two 'amateur-grade' top crack repairs as well as top brace gluing. A silver dollar size hole on the bass bout filled and a wedge-shape chunk of the headstock repaired. Not professional.....BUT adequite! Oh yeah, and a back brace replaced and the bridge lifting! It had the shrunken knob original PAT PEND Klusons tuners in place. The original finish is in pretty great shape with minor weather-checking. Oh Yeah, a 3" piece of binding from the treble/body side of the neck is missing. All else, tight! The truss rod neck was absolutely straight and the original frets(though small and narrow) were still dressed nicely! 3 digit FON# with red #'s ,belly-down bridge,19-fret, wedge-peghead, all spoke old. A half dozen other guys were guessing 70's-60's......I agreed....a piece of ****.... I will say, after I bought it....I made a bone nut and strung her up, the very same day....AWESOME> I fell in love! The bridge was lifting worse under the tension, so I de-tuned and started the necessary structural repairs. I have done them and am in playing mode. ........still infatuated with the tone. Everyone talks about 'breaking in' a new guitar. I only hope that there is a possibility of an old ....'broken in' but 'unplayed' for several years, guitar....."opening up" with playing again! I believe it is sooooo! Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Rod, That's a brilliant find, the kind we all dream about. Congratulations. '47 or '48 sounds right. These late 40's slope J's are among the greatest Gibson flat tops, but I'm a bit prejudiced in that regard. -J45 Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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