|
|
#1
11-18-2017, 07:51 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Vintage Guitar Question
Yard sale find, a vintage dred that has all appearances of a 60s-70s either Gibson or Epiphone. Someone used what looks like 60 grit sandpaper on back, neck, and headstock. The only thing left is a number looking inside on the block: 50.8.18
Has the moustache headstock like a Gibson but not a droopy type moustache like a Epiphone. Tuners replaced with Grovers. Has adjustable belly down bridge. All binding and sound hole circles are like both old Gibsons, Epiphones, and others. I have done extensive research in an attempt to identify this guitar. One thing that throws me off is that it not only has double dots at the twelfth fret but also at the fifth. Original color is blonde. Has forward x bracing. This guitar has an awesome sound. I am new to the forum. Maybe someone has some ideas. I know that other makers have copied the Gibson headstock over the years and I have researched those also. I have showed it to several folks so far no one can say for sure what this guitar is. I will try to get pics and submit as soon as possible. 
|
|
#2
11-18-2017, 08:20 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Ibanez used a Gibson like headstock for a time ... until they were advised by lawyers to stop.
They also had some 'belly-up' bridges ... and some 'belly down'. And some models had the height adjustable saddles. But the pictures I scanned through didn't turn up a guitar with double dots on the 5th fret. Love to see pictures .... and welcome to the forum.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
|
|
#3
11-18-2017, 08:37 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Certainly no ideas without photos. However, I've never seen anyone take to sanding all of that except when trying to alter the pedigree of an import to make it seem like the real deal. The number you posted ins't a Gibson, Martin or any serial number I've seen. Photos may help.
|
|
#4
11-18-2017, 09:38 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thanks for the input. Most people that have seen this old guitar are ready to call it a Gibson, except, the double dots at the 5th keep throwing everyone off. I have seen double dots at the 7th on some old Harmony guitars, but not on a Gibson or Epiphone so far. There are lots of vintage Gibsons in the area as there was a Gibson plant in Nashville for many years. The guitar was bought at a yard sale about 65 miles out of Nashville. Whoever sanded it did it many years ago and then it just set up for several years based on the condition of it. I was amazed at the sound when I strung it up. I have re glued the bridge and put a nut on it. It's a project right now. I'll try to get some pics on. Again thanks for your help.
|
|
#6
11-19-2017, 10:24 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Yes, some pictures would definitely help.
|
|
#8
11-19-2017, 02:09 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Post you pics to a pic hosting site and then paste the address of the pic into the "enter URL" thing you're getting. I'm looking forward to seeing this guitar too.
__________________
'59 Gibson J-45 "Spot" '21 Gibson LG-2 - 50's Reissue '94 Taylor 710 '18 Martin 000-17E "Willie" ‘23 Taylor AD12e-SB '22 Taylor GTe Blacktop '15 Martin 000X1AE https://pandora.app.link/ysqc6ey22hb
|
|
#10
11-19-2017, 02:46 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Where the guitar was purchased is immaterial in determining whether it is a 1960s or 1970s Gibson as they continued to build the flattops in Kalamazoo until 1984. I have never seen any 1960s or 1970s Gibson serial number with a sequence such as your guitar shows. If you are talking just a straight 5 digit sequence that is a different story. I have seen 1970s Epiphones with double dot position markers at both the 5th and 12th fret but not a Gibson.
__________________
"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard Last edited by zombywoof; 11-19-2017 at 03:07 PM.
|
|
#11
11-19-2017, 02:47 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
__________________
"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard
|
|
#13
11-19-2017, 03:06 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Take a look inside the guitar. If these is a second X brace below the upper one you can rest assured it is a 1970s Gibson. If not then it is pre-1971 or is not a Gibson. Gibson only licensed the Epiphone name through at least the early to mid-1970s and had nothing to do with the design of the guitars. These guitars are more or less re-badged Arias or some other MIJ instrument. I really do not know enough about them to say much of anything.
__________________
"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard
|
