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Proper ID on 1915 L-1 Archtop


Drewski

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Posted

]Hello all, newbie here

 

 

With my extensive knowledge of guitars (not) and fumbling fingers online, I have managed to make an educated guess on the date of this guitar but I would like to know for sure. I would appreciate any and all help from you good folks. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted

There should be a number on the neck block, and a number on the paper label...with those two, you should be able to make the year out. That tailpiece, if original points to the later years in production. They stopped making these in 1926, where the L-1 became a flat top. The earlier versions had tailpieces with tortise cover and bridge pins.....I love these guitars.....it appears that yours has some very nice Adirondac spruce top....

Posted

Wily, I appreciate your thoughts................The size of these photos are more of a tease than anything, if you are interested in seeing larger images I can accommodate. The reason I place this @ 1915 is the number on the decal inside, as you stated. According to "Blue Book Of Electric Guitars Sixth Edition Gibson Serialization" Edited by S.P. Fjestad published in Minneapolis Minn this serial # falls between the last known serial # produced in 1914 and last known of 1915 if my understanding of the posting of serials is correct. I don't know where to look to match the stamped # on the neck block. My question with Blue Book is: Whether it is a valid approach to making an exact date of a given instrument. Are you aware of a way to cross=check the # on the neck block?

 

Again, thanks for your time

Posted

This I would guess is Prior to 1920.. No adjustable truss rod.. the tail piece should be a Pin Style, and the Bridge should be Non adjustable.. From the Logo.. .. I would guess 1917 to 1920.. I could be wrong on the earlier date by a coupe of years..

 

They have a sound of there own... ... I do like the huge V neck on these.. Nice L1..

Posted

slimt

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment. You are correct, there is no truss rod, I'm not sure of the terminology for the tailpiece style but the bridge IS adjustable. See attch

 

post-37920-091792500 1322593505_thumb.jpg post-37920-037461500 1322593525_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

I see I have posted this query in the wrong place, sorry to all............is there a way to move it to the vintage topics?

 

thanks for all the input!

 

 

I have moved this question over to the Vintage Gibson Forum...........thanks to all!

Posted

Nice!..............an open can of worms to try and sort! msp_confused.gif Are you telling me the bridge is not Gibson at all or just not an era piece? The tail piece does not have Gibson on it............where it folds over the body the words "Pat. applied for" are stamped into it on top.

 

Does a 21xxx serial number place the majority of the instrument circa 1915?

 

Again, thanks for the info I'd like to know more if you have ideas

Posted

The Tail piece is from a Gibson.. Just not this one.. Most of the Plastic/Pin pads desolved and fell apart.. My guess the one you have is from the Mid 30s.. as for the Bridge.. Its a Gibson Bridge.. simular to some of the L48, L50s L4s had ... Those items get broken or lost or they just wear out..... Not a Big deal...

 

Find a Bridge and tailpiece for it..

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