willysunday Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I found this on eBay a few years ago. Got around to cleaning it up, added a trapeze from some "spare parts", not original tuners but will do for now. Set it up with 11's and it sounds great. A ball to play. Great sunburst. These "flat-back, f-hole, 14 3/4" bouts" were made only in '34 as they transitioned from the round-hole 14 3/4" bout L-50 to the 16" bout in '35. Really didn't know if it was an L-50 or an L-37. Pearl inlaid logo pegs it as an L-50. willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Willy - that's a really addition to your vintage collection. The L-50 went through a lot of transition from 1933-1935 when Gibson finally went to the 16" lower bout model, which remained that way for a long time. Of course, the 1934 version would continue but renamed the L-30 & L-37, only without the pearl inlay logo. I really like the pearl script logo they used in 1934. Congrats on the new acquisition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 . Nice job. She looks fantastic. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blsuedeshu Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Very nice! It looks to be in fine shape for its age. I just picked up an L-50 two weeks ago and I am having difficulty determining what year it is. It's the larger 16" body with the same headstock as yours including the pearl script logo and nickel plated tuners. Where did you find the serial # on your guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajay Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I bought a fairly nice one around ten years back for $750. I returned it because I just don't play a style that works for me with the tone on that style. Cool looking guitars though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysunday Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 Blsuedeshu- my SN is visible through the treble f-hole. Stamped on the back near end of the X-brace. "1201" was stamped, then number 8 in red ink, handwritten. A jay, I think these shine in every style from Maybelle to Jazz. Just takes some gettin use To. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blsuedeshu Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Thanks for the tip! I'll take a closer look inside to see if I can find it. There is a three digit number (2782) stamped on the top edge of the headstock. It does not seem to coincide with any serial number convention Gibson used. I agree. This guitar is able to host just about any kind of music you wish to play on it. It sounds wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Thanks for the tip! I'll take a closer look inside to see if I can find it. There is a three digit number (2782) stamped on the top edge of the headstock. It does not seem to coincide with any serial number convention Gibson used. I agree. This guitar is able to host just about any kind of music you wish to play on it. It sounds wonderful. 2782 is a FOUR digit number and thats probley a factory order number BTW very nice L-50...I have a 1937 L 50 but its in the shop getting a brace repaired Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysunday Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 Blusuedeshu, In Joe Spann's book, there is (are) two guitars with your FON from 1941. Leave it to Gibson to give the same number to two guitars in the same year. One is an L-50 (yours?), the other is an E'S-150. FON's seemed to be in that range before the on set of the L-50, and then in the 40's. I am no expert, only going by Joe's book. The book, along with Paul Fox's book is a must for us vintage Gibson-Geeks If you dont have 'em yet, check amazon for "Spann's Guide to Gibson 1902-41" and Paul's "The OtherBrands of Gibson" bargain-priced and full of hours of enjoyment ....... when you should be cuttin' the lawn! Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hey Willy, thanks for recommending my book. Every little bit of free publicity helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blsuedeshu Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Thanks for the info Willy! Armed with that and a borrowed Snap-On boroscope, I will go deap into guitar tonight. I'll keep you all posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Nice guitar Will, what do you think it's worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Wow that's a nice arch top! I have one identical in looks to it, accept mine says KAY on the headstock. It's not a Gibby but its loads of fun and sounds great. I don't think there worth anything though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysunday Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 "What do you think it's worth/" Kind of a tough call. New Hope Trader has one like it for $1800. Book says $1400- !700. I'd say they are undervalued for a few reasons. It's early in the L-50's life and because it was a transition piece, it's pretty rare. This small-body did morph into the L-37 (without the pearl and maple) so even though it did live on, it wasn't the same. Secondly, they are great guitars. I have a few arch tops and none sound like this one, Even fingerpicks well. Thirdly, I rubbed the heck out of it to clean it up and brought it back to playability : ) that's gotta be worth five bucks.... at least! before I did the work on it, I was hundreds below what I'd ask for it now. Mainly because I underestimated it and I'm having a ball playing it. The bridge is down tight on it so it will need a reset in probably,......... what 20-30 years? w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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