Stoopalini Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Another one of the guitars in the collection: I think this is a 1946-1949 ES-125, or could it be an L-50? There's no Serial # or FON located anywhere on, or in, this guitar. I took a telescoping mirror and a flashlight and looked all throughout the cavity, and didn't see any markings. Based on the inlays and the raised diamond in the tailpiece, I think its dated '46-'49? Any insight on it would be greatly appreciated. It looks like someone stuck their initials onto the headstock, not sure what MRA stands for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Very nice Stoopalini ! I am sure it is an ES-125 ....an early post-war era. The book says they came with the trapezoid MOP fret- markers at that time and then went to simple dots. The pickup most likely has the 'slug' pole magnets rather than screws? The knobs (if original) should be the clear amber barrels with no numbers. I think it would be closer to a '46. The tuners look original and correct for that era. Yours 'may' have a mahogany top also...!?! How does it sound and play? Its very pretty! Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoopalini Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Thanks Rod! The P90 pup has non-adjustable slugs, which was another indicator to me of the year. The knobs are amber, but do have numbers on them ... these were probably replaced at some point. Also, the pickguard is missing. I don't know how to tell the top wood type? Does a mahogany top version carry a different value than a non-mahogany version? It sounds and plays beautifully! I only played it one time on stage, and it was for an acoustic version of the Bare Naked Ladies rendition of 'God Rest 'Ye Merry Gentlemen". when I knew I was going to play that song, I thought this guitar was perfect for it ... and it was! I do play it around the house from time to time, and it's really a nice piece. Thanks again, Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I don,t think a mahogany top would bring any more money. The tops on these are press-laminated anyway and not solid-carved. If you could find the pickguard for it , that would be a plus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 The logo being silkscreened in gold (rather than white) suggests that this one isn't among the earliest examples, and may date to 1947. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 The logo being silkscreened in gold (rather than white) suggests that this one isn't among the earliest examples, and may date to 1947. Would a 1947 have had the gold silkscreened script logo, rather than the gold block logo like this one? It certainly is no earlier than late 1947 or early 1948 with that logo, I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoopalini Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 thanks for the input guys. This is definitely a '47-'49 based on the logo design (dot of the i touching and logo at a slant), but if there's a way to narrow it down further than that, I haven't found it. I posted a new thread with the Gibson logo info found in the Blue Book ... I thought it might be something good to have for search-ability on the forum. Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Would a 1947 have had the gold silkscreened script logo, rather than the gold block logo like this one? It certainly is no earlier than late 1947 or early 1948 with that logo, I would think. Good question. According to Duchossoir's book, "By 1947, the pre-war script on the headstock was replaced by a modern Gibson logo silkscreened in gold." So, it would seem that there may not have been a silkscreened script in gold as a transition logo on this model. But I couldn't say for certain at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Good question. According to Duchossoir's book, "By 1947, the pre-war script on the headstock was replaced by a modern Gibson logo silkscreened in gold." So, it would seem that there may not have been a silkscreened script in gold as a transition logo on this model. But I couldn't say for certain at this point. This logo transition point must have varied from model to model. I have a mid-1947 L-7 with the script logo (A-label and serial number --A-235-- pin it down to within a month), yet I have seen later 1947 L-7's with block logo. Both logos are inlaid, of course. Most identifiable 1947 J-45's I have seen have gold screened script logos, but are screened block logo by 1948. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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