Dave F Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Here's my latest addition. 1953 J50. Seller offered full refund if I didn't like it minus shipping Here's some of what I was told and what I see. Look it over and feel free to comment - From seller - Was oversprayed & shows 1 crack repair under the finish, the top, sides & neck are completely original finish (I looked inside and saw the cleats but could not see the repair on the outside with the naked eye. The flash made it show up. Overspray also on neck) 60's 2-line Kluson tuners perfect refret & repro tortoise'gard What I see - No cracks elsewhere. I looked it over good and took the lights and mirrors inside. looked clean Fret job looks great Repairs look old Guitar has that stuck in the attic for 40 years smell Neck is straight Action is good. I'm going to lower it a little, but there's plenty of saddle. Can't tell if the neck has been reset Don't know if bridge is original. It does shown signs of wear consistent with the guitar Had original nut, frets and broken saddle in case New nut and saddle look to be plastic. Bridge pins look to be original plastic ones. Had 2 old straps in case Had a newer case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Looks good to this untrained eye ! String 'er up ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Nice! Congrats. I love "Player's Guitars." Leave the pristine stuff for the collectors. And I love finding stuff in the case. Kinda like an unexpected gift at X'mas. One of the photo shows that part of the back strip at the edge of the neck block was broken off. I do not have a clue if that is even something to raise an eyebrow at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Definitly a vintage guitar and the seller appears to be pretty honest about it. Really does look good, judging by the pics. How does it sound? Are you going with lights or mediums? One thing I've wondered about old guitars kept in attics and other potentially very dry areas is how often the wood has dried-out over the years. I know it depends on what state, country the instrument is in, but wood gets brittle if dryness is excessive. On the otherhand, it could also have been stored somewhere where temps and humidity were consistent and at good levels. I'd have bought this guitar too. Interested in hearing how it sounds.......Hopes it's exactly what you're wanting it to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 She's gorgeous Dave! Congratulations. I sold my '53 J-45 a couple of months ago. She was beautiful but she didn't age quite as nicely as your '53. Nice! :Edit: Now I see that the body has been refinished. Still a great guitar but now I know why it looks so clean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 The bridge looks to be original. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Looks Great..just the right amount of " mojo"....here's another 1953! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Y designates 1953 but why does it have a 20 fret neck ? I always thought pre 1955 had 19 fret necks ? Also I thought 53 would have a thru saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Y designates 1953 but why does it have a 20 fret neck ? I always thought pre 1955 had 19 fret necks ? Also I thought 53 would have a thru saddle. A document I read agrees with your 19/20 statement but when I searched the net, over half the images are 20. I was told the tuners are from the '60's. Maybe the neck is too? None of the images showed a '53 with a thru saddle. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Y designates 1953 but why does it have a 20 fret neck ? I always thought pre 1955 had 19 fret necks ? Also I thought 53 would have a thru saddle. I did a little more research and agree with your points. I'm starting to think this is a '53 body with a '55 or later neck replacement. I may send it back or renegotiate the price. Thanks for your observations. That's why I put it out here to get everyone's view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I did a little more research and agree with your points. I'm starting to think this is a '53 body with a '55 or later neck replacement. I may send it back or renegotiate the price. Thanks for your observations. That's why I put it out here to get everyone's view. Wouldn't that put off the intonation??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I would think it would impact intonation but no more than raising or lowering the saddle or adjusting the neck relief. In the end it may come down to how sensitive your ears are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 . Nice looking and in good shape. One thing about Gibson - inconsistent. I've seen some odd specimens that turned out to be legit. Imagine trying to evaluate Nick's 45 with the unusual headstock and fingerboard inlays if it's history was unknown. Good luck with the dilemma. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 I took this guitar to a local luthier who happens to be a Vintage Gibson freak. He said it all checked good. It's a '53 body and the neck is original to the body. He'd bet his house on it. He showed what signs to look for. His review of the guitar showed the following work done very professionally - New frets, level fretboard, new pickguard, reglued original bridge, one repaired crack on back, new vintage bone saddle and nut. He said there were no signs of a neck reset and it doesn't need one. His only dislike was the overspray all around the body but he said that was just a matter of taste. He did a blacklight check on the finish and everything was a nitrocellulose-finish and looked real clean. As BigKahune mentioned, this is one of the oddities to come out of Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 String it up and let us know how it sounds ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 As someone who's just getting into older Gibsons, I feel your satisfaction. There just isn't anything like an older instrument with an aged tone and vintage mojo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 In all honesty.....I like what I see.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 There are certain Gibson electrics like the ES-295 which was made with 20 frets as early as 1953 although every source out there states the model did not get the extra fret until 1955. I gather it was not consistent but they are out there. Maybe it was the same with acoustics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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