old Gibson LG

[Thommy]

Hi,
Hoping the AGF can help.
I just purchased a Gibson LG size guitar, sn #Y 8948 11, on the neck block.
It has ladder bracing, sunbrust finish, rectangle bridge. Action seems high & has a "belly", the tuner buttons are gone.
Wanting to know the year & approximate value.
I am not really a guitar player but might learn more.

Thanks,
Thommy

[Looburst]

Well, the ladder braced version are called LG-1s and aren't worth as much as the X-braced version or LG-2s. Sounds like it needs a lot of work and frankly I wouldn't be investing my money in that one because it's not as sought after. Can't tell you what year but guessing from the rectangular bridge, a period from 1945 to 1952. Value would be around $800. depending of course on whether there's any other inside damage.

[Stomp]

If its ladder braced, its an LG-1.
That's not a negative, LG-1s are great blues and ragtime guitars.
Rectangle bridge was standard up to 1960/61.
If it has the longer pick guard like mine here, its after 1955:



If it has the shorter pick guard its pre-1955 like this one:



With Y on the neck block, yours sounds like its from 1953.

[Jim Owen]

Hi Thommy,
Welcome to the forum; if you want to learn the guitar, you'll find help here.

I agree with Stomp. You've likely got a 50s LG-1. They were essentially "starter" instruments. Yet some sound quite good.

Ladder braced guitars are a niche. Some really like them.

[Looburst]

"Some" being the key word here. I know here in Nashville, you can't expect much for them. Now the LG-2s are very much in demand and in fact I own a 1944 Banner LG-2. I also own a 1967 LG-1 that is just good for slide playing due to the smaller nut, 1 9/16s.

[slewis]

Thommy, just FYI, I have what we apparently determined to be a 1965 Gibson LG-1; it was my sister's and I got it when she passed away about 4 years ago. I'd played it for years when I visited her since about 1967 -- I'm sure she got it new -- so there was a whole lot of sentimental value to it to me. I had it worked on here in Seattle; had a new rosewood bridge put on it and the neck adjusted. Of course this is no museum piece but it plays very nicely now and has a very dry, vintag-ey, distinctive sound that works really well with bluesy strumming. The neck's narrower than I like but that's no big deal. It is what it is and I'm very glad I got it "restored," with all the memories I have of it and my sister.

Here's the original AG Forum thread where I talked about it:
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=389381

[Athens]

I noticed that this is your first post and just wanted to say Welcome to AGF!

[Thommy]

Thanks everyone for the welcome & reply's.
It has the smaller pickguard, 2 braces that were loose, one looks like someone used beige color epoxie smeared all around & the other needs fixing .
I do some work myself so I can fix the other brace & maybe a new bridge plate, frets, ect.

Thom

[Looburst]

Good deal, it could be a fun project for sure. Just as an FYI, potassium permanganate is a great thing to use for darkening braces, if you have to replace any and want them to match the original patina. Works like a charm!

[J185-4Me]

"Y" denotes the year 1953 for your guitar.

Fred