Vintage Gibson J50 help - Page 3

bayoubengal · #31 08-23-2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

What is everyone getting done to their J50?

Dave--Mine needed a neck reset and a full re-fret job, but I knew that when I bought it. If the one you are looking at needs those two things I'm sure you will figure that in when buying. That could run you at least $850+ or - depending on your location (I'm in New Orleans). You could have an independent tech check it out first.

duluthdan · #32 08-23-2016, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

What is everyone getting done to their J50?

I bought a '57 with the adjustable saddle.
Changed the bridge out to a fixed rosewood bridge
Neck Reset
Planed fret board
All new frets
New Bridge Plate
New bone nut and saddle
Installed a K&K Pure Mini
$1,500 - well spent

Setup for medium strings, 13s. Very robust and fun to play.

picassov7 · #33 08-23-2016, 10:53 PM

Well, I am curious. Did you end up getting the J50? What year does it turn out to be? Was the theory on it being a refinished J45 correct? How is the condition? Would love to see some pics!

dave42 · #34 08-24-2016, 10:33 AM

Got it. Rough, but good bones. Single ply binding. I'm at work, more later!

DMZ · #35 08-24-2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayoubengal

Ouch! My '48 J-50 was with the tech for 4 weeks and that seemed like forever. Feeling for you!

Thanks man. Unique situation - keeping details non public.

DMZ · #36 08-24-2016, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

What is everyone getting done to their J50?

Mine's getting 3 new frets, a headstock reglue/repair and plate holes filled, bridge reset and bone saddle, long crack repair from upper bout to bridge and pickguard flattened. $500 repairs.

zombywoof · #37 08-24-2016, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayoubengal

Ouch! My '48 J-50 was with the tech for 4 weeks and that seemed like forever. Feeling for you!

My Banner J-50 was up with the repair guy for a full year. It literally had to be taken apart and put back together. Would have been finished quicker if my guitar did not have to compete with turkey hunting season opening up.

bayoubengal · #38 08-24-2016, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof

My Banner J-50 was up with the repair guy for a full year. It literally had to be taken apart and put back together. Would have been finished quicker if my guitar did not have to compete with turkey hunting season opening up.

Turkey hunting season. Always getting in the way of guitar repairs!

pickitluther · #39 08-24-2016, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duluthdan

I bought a '57 with the adjustable saddle.
Changed the bridge out to a fixed rosewood bridge
Neck Reset
Planed fret board
All new frets
New Bridge Plate
New bone nut and saddle
Installed a K&K Pure Mini
$1,500 - well spent

Setup for medium strings, 13s. Very robust and fun to play.

Dan, whoever made that bridge did a great job of getting the shape and contours just right ! I've seen so many re-produced Gibson bridges that are so off.

dave42 · #40 08-25-2016, 09:06 AM

Well, here are some pics. Unfortunately, the FON is there, but unreadable.
2 pc sitka top
Sq poplar neck block
3ply Maple neck
Single binding on top

So what do you folks think? the 3ply maple neck puts into '44 according to the registry. And the single binding...?

bayoubengal · #41 08-25-2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

Well, here are some pics. Unfortunately, the FON is there, but unreadable.
2 pc sitka top
Sq poplar neck block
3ply Maple neck
Single binding on top

So what do you folks think? the 3ply maple neck puts into '44 according to the registry. And the single binding...?

It looks promising to me, assuming the cracks have been stabilized. Two questions I would want answered:

1.) Do you think the first five frets still have a lot of meat on them?
2.) Does it need a neck reset? I'm no expert compared to many on this forum, but I could determine myself that the '48 J-50 I bought in June needed a neck reset. Many times it is not so obvious unless you get a good tech to inspect it.

It needing a neck reset would not scare me off. It would just affect the price I would pay. Upon reading up above I now see that you did buy it? If so, congratulations!

zombywoof · #42 08-25-2016, 10:59 AM

Those cracks coming down from either side of the fingerboard are always scary as it could indicate the neck block has shifted. It, of course, depends on whether the guitar has been properly repaired My '42 J-50 has a red spruce top, seven ply top binding, and a single piece neck with a mahogany neck block. Again though, JT is the guy you want an opinion on originality and year of manufacture from - not me.

dave42 · #43 08-25-2016, 12:18 PM

bayoubengal, yes I did buy it! Excited, because I just came back from the person I'd like to have fix it up. First off he said he would do it! He picks and chooses what projects he's willing to take on. I got lucky there.

Loose braces top and bottom. He didn't seem to worried about the cracks by the neck because the neck hasn't sunk in. And he did comment about the neck block being solid. The neck set is good and he may keep the bridge. The frets are okay, but sticking up/uneven. He really fell in love with it the longer he looked at it. We tightened up a couple of strings... wow. We agreed this thing will be great sounding when done. I thought he was charging a fair price for what all needs done, so I told him what ever it takes to be a great player since it's not in highly collectible condition.

Also, I didn't pay a lot for this guitar, so this will be an affordable project!

Tuners are not original. You can see the holes for the old 3 on a plate tuners. Probably go for some of those Stewmac tuners.

Truss rod was loose... it works!!! Tightened up easily. Love that big baseball bat neck.

He's pumped to do it, but has a couple of 'big' projects ahead of mine. They aren't as big as this guitar. I'm in no huge hurry. I'm excited!

bayoubengal · #44 08-25-2016, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

bayoubengal, yes I did buy it! Excited, because I just came back from the person I'd like to have fix it up. First off he said he would do it! He picks and chooses what projects he's willing to take on. I got lucky there.

Loose braces top and bottom. He didn't seem to worried about the cracks by the neck because the neck hasn't sunk in. And he did comment about the neck block being solid. The neck set is good and he may keep the bridge. The frets are okay, but sticking up/uneven. He really fell in love with it the longer he looked at it. We tightened up a couple of strings... wow. We agreed this thing will be great sounding when done. I thought he was charging a fair price for what all needs done, so I told him what ever it takes to be a great player since it's not in highly collectible condition.

Also, I didn't pay a lot for this guitar, so this will be an affordable project!

Tuners are not original. You can see the holes for the old 3 on a plate tuners. Probably go for some of those Stewmac tuners.

Truss rod was loose... it works!!! Tightened up easily. Love that big baseball bat neck.

He's pumped to do it, but has a couple of 'big' projects ahead of mine. They aren't as big as this guitar. I'm in no huge hurry. I'm excited!

Great news! Keep us posted when you get it back!

dave42 · #45 08-25-2016, 12:56 PM

Thanks to all for your nice comments and suggestions! Still trying to nail down the year... again, with maple neck says 1944(ish) to me. Any help is appreciated!

I was told 8 months, maybe sooner for completion. I'm good with that. but... tick - tock, etc...

Stewmac #2503 look great and functional...