patt01 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Hi all, Have this Gibson Acoustic that my mom bought for my dad brand new back in the 1950's. It has never left the family for all these years and has seen it's share of country and bluegrass festivals (Dads originally from W. VA.). He is in his late 80's now and has passed it on to me. Was hopping to get some info from the good folks in this forum about it. Thanks, Patt01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Lots of knowledgeable model ID'ers here. I'm stumped. Square shoulder J45 maybe. That saddle setup is unique too. I dunno and can't wait for everybody to check in. I think you have a gem in any case. What a beautiful spruce grain pattern! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Sorry, I don't recognize that model at all, and I don't believe it is an authentic Gibson. It may well be a post WWII Japanese import copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 The headstock shape looks wrong, the split diamond inlay on the headstock looks cheap, as do the tuners, and even the bridge looks off. I'd say knockoff, of some sort. Could still be a great guitar though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 So far...YIKES. Imagine a nice lady buying this for her hubby back in the 50's. Where would you even find a knock-off 60+ years ago? Aren't those tuner buttons wak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patt01 Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 Thanks everyone for your opinions. It has me stumped also, hope a few more people chime in. If it is a knockoff, They sure did a good job. Plays and sounds just like a J-45. Dad was in WWII in the Pacific theater so there may be something to j45nick's theory. The guitar, (as the story gose), was purchased new in a small town in northern VA. where my parents settled after the war. It set the stage for 70+ years (and counting)of marrage (in thier 90's now) I'll post some speck's below to possibly help clarify some things about it. The numbers on it are ==U681_33== (in ink) Body width (widest point 15 1/2) thickness 4 5/8, height of body 19 3/4, overall 40 1/2. X bracing behind sound hole (bottom side), Tall scalloped ladder bracing elsewhere, 20 frets baseball bat style neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Just because it is probably a copy does not mean it isn't a good guitar. It should also have great personal value to you because of its family history. Keep it, no matter what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patt01 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 Thanks, j45nick In my opinion it is a good guitar and hoping to have it around for another 55 years although it would be nice to be able to place a monetary value (if any) on it for insurace purposes and bragging rights. I wonder how many "copies" are still around from the 50's that look this good. Is there a place in the forums or do you know anywhere I might be able to get a ball Park appraisal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Thanks, j45nick In my opinion it is a good guitar and hoping to have it around for another 55 years although it would be nice to be able to place a monetary value (if any) on it for insurace purposes and bragging rights. I wonder how many "copies" are still around from the 50's that look this good. Is there a place in the forums or do you know anywhere I might be able to get a ball Park appraisal? That's a tough call. Copies from this period don't have any established value, to the best of my knowledge. If you were to try to sell it, you would probably be very lucky to get a couple of hundred bucks for it, and more likely, much less. There may well be esoteric websites that can help you track down the manufacturer, but they were generally pretty good at covering their tracks, since they were trying to copy other manufacturers' products. Look at some of the threads here on vintage Gibsons from all periods, dating back to the 1920's. Generally, high-quality guitars get the best care over time, and it's reflected in their value. Cheaper copies rarely achieve "collectible" status, and only have any value if they have a uniquely good tone or playability. That's something none of us here can evalute for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBo Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 If it is truly a Gibson J45, the U on the FON # would make it a '57. They started with Z in '52 and worked backward... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 holy crap.. whos bringing these posts back from the dead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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