Ryno0 Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 Hey guys, I found a cool looking older Gibson for sale in an online auction. Problem is, it seems like the price points for the J-50 is all over the board. Any help with a conservative value on this guitar would help (even a range). The description they give is as follows: 1957 Gibson J 50 Acoustic Guitar. This guitar is in good shape cosmetically and an incredible player. I did a light restorative cleaning and a restring. The bridge appears to be original with replacement pins, frets appear to be original with wear (nothing major), fretboard shows usual wear, and the tuning machines are replacements. I did not try to remove the folk art. Thanks guys. It is in a online auction (AtlantaSurplus), and I don't want to overbid on it. What are y'alls thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Tis' a cool looking old J-50. I actually like the "folk art". The value is hard to establish on any online auction because you can't know if it needs a neck reset (as old guitars often do) or has loose braces (an easy repair) or any number ot problems unless you can personally inspect it and play it. '50's J-50s are pretty desirable for us J-50 and J-45 fans but considered a C in collectability overall. A good thing to do is check ebay and determine what the "winning" prices have been over the last year ..... throw out the highs and lows and you'll have a range. Determine your budget and don't go over it .... and then cross your fingers because without extensive discussions with and owner you can trust, you are buying an unknown item. Be sure to check on the return policy. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StijnV Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 The guitar looks pretty vintage ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Truss Rod Cover ain't original which in itself is not a big deal and usually means nothing other than some wingnut lost it. But when I run across this I tend to give the neck a good looking over and make sure you can adjust the rod. Can't help you on price as I do not like giving opinions on value when I have not eyeballed the guitar and there will be alot of fluctuation depending on where you live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryno0 Posted August 15, 2012 Author Share Posted August 15, 2012 I'll go check out ebay and see what it says. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 I'll go check out ebay and see what it says. Thanks guys. I've hesitated to chime in too, because there just isn't enough information to judge. The Vintage price Guide has a '57 J-50 in excellent condition at $4K to $5K. This one has only minor issues -- as far as we know -- so the answer could be $3K. But it could also be $2K, because it could need close to $1K of work. There's just no way to tell without inspecting the instrument (which is why a lot of us avoid eBay, et al., and buy from reputable dealers instead). -- Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Mandolin Brother has a '57 J50 for sale. Asking $6k: http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibson-J-50+vintage+acoustic+flattop+guitar-1957/2965 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Mandolin Brother has a '57 J50 for sale. Asking $6k: http://mandoweb.com/...uitar-1957/2965 That's a beauty! But check out the "deluxe" guitar strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Mandolin's specemin seems to be in better shape. :)I would take 20% off their price as the high send. I am not a collector, but with your target's roughed-up neck... and "player" label - you are right to be concerned about overbidding. But on the cheap that thing probably sounds sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Mandolin Bros., Elderly and such will be on the high side as they can afford to sit on their gear. Most of the small vintage guitar dealers I know who have to move stock still say they are knocking about 30% of the values given in the VG Price Guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 The Vintage price Guide has a '57 J-50 in excellent condition at $4K to $5K. I like beat-up old Gibsons but to be clear, the J-50 in the pics is IMO very far from 'excellent condition'. I'd call it 'good'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Well damn. I bid just a minute before this auction closed (at $1220) $1268 but I had to put in my f$#@%ng credit card info. By the time I put it in the bidding was closed. Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Well damn. I bid just a minute before this auction closed (at $1220) $1268 but I had to put in my f$#@%ng credit card info. By the time I put it in the bidding was closed. Brilliant. That was potentially a very good buy at that price. The guitar is a bit rough, but might clean up quite well. The issue with guitars with chewed-up necks is how deep the gouges really are. I've seen necks that were unplayable as-is, and only a serious filling of the damage to the back of the neck would make the guitar usable. And that, ironically, might compromise the value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Well damn. I bid just a minute before this auction closed (at $1220) $1268 but I had to put in my f$#@%ng credit card info. By the time I put it in the bidding was closed. Brilliant. Oh man, John, I hate you missed that one. I was going to bid myself and forgot about it until it was 9:10 Eastern time ..... nice to know the final price, seems like a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Oh man, John, I hate you missed that one. I was going to bid myself and forgot about it until it was 9:10 Eastern time ..... nice to know the final price, seems like a good deal. I know man. I was inconsolable. I really liked that folk art. I had forgotten about the time difference too until 7 my time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ or Burst Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I would not give over $900 for it. Though it could sound good, odds are if there was no concern for what tuners go on it then you have no idea which goober with a screw driver "worked" her over either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I would not give over $900 for it. Though it could sound good, odds are if there was no concern for what tuners go on it then you have no idea which goober with a screw driver "worked" her over either. That's a pretty harsh evaluation without seeing the guitar in person or playing it. The guitar has obviously had a bit of a hard life, but could be a really good player. It certainly has a pretty high "funky" quotient, but it's hard to relate that to the quality of the guitar as a player. Certainly it is not a collector's guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I would not give over $900 for it. Though it could sound good, odds are if there was no concern for what tuners go on it then you have no idea which goober with a screw driver "worked" her over either. Well any time one bids on line , one is taking a chance on the quality of the guitar anyway. So for $300 more than you would have paid, someone got a funky guitar that may or may not be a good player or have a good tone. I like the folk art and think it gives it a little mojo. What if it was a wonderful player and sounded like we all hope a 57 J-50 would sound? I have contended here several times that you don't know what you have until you take her home and live with her a while ..... both guitars and women. So, heck for a few more bucks, I'd take a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Well any time one bids on line , one is taking a chance on the quality of the guitar anyway. So for $300 more than you would have paid, someone got a funky guitar that may or may not be a good player or have a good tone. I like the folk art and think it gives it a little mojo. What if it was a wonderful player and sounded like we all hope a 57 J-50 would sound? I have contended here several times that you don't know what you have until you take her home and live with her a while ..... both guitars and women. So, heck for a few more bucks, I'd take a chance. Agree 100%. I also suspect that the "folk art"--which I don't care for--would be pretty easily removed. Get rid of the lousy tuners, clean it up, and you could easily have a $2000+ vintage J-50, even with the damaged headstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I hear a lot of people in the vintage gear world say "what is this thing worth?" IMO the correct answer is not in a book or in the completed listings on ebay. It is whatever someone will pay for it. I was willing to take the risk and to pay more than the final bid. It was a shame that either I messed up my bid or the website messed up. I was kind of sad. Call me crazy- but I really liked the folk art. It looked old. It was unique. I don't normally go for that stuff but for some reason I latched on to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo's Mandolin Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 The book isn't always the most accurate thing, because the values and inflate or deflate due to demand of an instrument. VGPG says a George Gobel is around $20k for example I believe, but you could sell and EXC+ one for $30k all day long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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