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  #1  
Old 11-27-2019, 12:41 PM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Default L-50

Sold an Eastman OM and added $$ to guitar fund. I realized I was impatiently looking for its replacement, so said to myself “Self” I said, “slow down and enjoy being single for a while!”

45 minutes later, found a ‘49 or ‘50 L-50 at a “get in line first or it’ll be gone” price. On Craigslist. So I’m no longer single.

Question; is there a definitive way of dating the guitar? Nothing in the f-hole but the faintest “L-50.” Also, is that maple?




Last edited by upsidedown; 11-27-2019 at 12:46 PM.
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  #2  
Old 11-27-2019, 02:07 PM
THart THart is offline
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Can't answer the question but is that a carved back? I thought the L-50's were flat backed?
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Old 11-27-2019, 04:09 PM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THart View Post
Can't answer the question but is that a carved back? I thought the L-50's were flat backed?
The back is arched, but I'm not sure whether it's laminate or solid and carved.
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Old 11-27-2019, 05:18 PM
Prof_Stack Prof_Stack is offline
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I think the 1949 era L50s have a laminated back but you could check the inside and outside for the patterns and see if they match up exactly.

My 1939 L50 is all solid arched top and bottom. I think the sides are solid as well.
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Old 11-28-2019, 09:11 AM
MC5C MC5C is offline
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There is no center seam, so almost certainly a laminated back. Some sources say a laminated maple back, and probably sides as well.
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Old 11-28-2019, 12:52 PM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MC5C View Post
There is no center seam, so almost certainly a laminated back. Some sources say a laminated maple back, and probably sides as well.
Thanks. The back definitely has a laminate look to it.

Incidentally, just noticed what I believe they call an FON inside the other f-hole. It's 5574-1. According to info found online ("1950: 3000s to 5000s"), it's a 1950.

Which turns this into an NGD post.

Last edited by upsidedown; 11-28-2019 at 03:47 PM.
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  #7  
Old 11-29-2019, 01:13 PM
1Charlie 1Charlie is offline
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Nice! I have a '43 and used to own a '36, which was during the short period they were 16" flatbacks.
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  #8  
Old 12-04-2019, 01:50 PM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Default A couple of pics



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Old 12-04-2019, 01:51 PM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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In posting the first picture, I just noticed that my bridge is crooked! Better check the intonation.
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Old 12-23-2019, 07:16 PM
L50EF15 L50EF15 is offline
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The L50 is solid top, back, and sides, though I understand pressed and not carved in all years. The L48 is a laminate.

Yours looks nice. Congratulations on getting it! Mine is a 1960.
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:33 AM
Pnewsom Pnewsom is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedown View Post
In posting the first picture, I just noticed that my bridge is crooked! Better check the intonation.

It looks about right to me. Standard positioning is centered between the notches in the f-holes.
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:56 AM
Kerbie Kerbie is offline
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That is sweet... congratulations. Nice burst.
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Old 02-11-2020, 10:32 AM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Quote:
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That is sweet... congratulations. Nice burst.
Thanks. It really is sweet - but I can't pry it out of my kid's hands!
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Old 02-15-2020, 10:22 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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This might help: https://www.google.com/search?client...b-d&q=guitarhq

says they had arched backs from 1935.
doesn't say whether laminated or carved.
Gibson are notorious for changing specs depending on what they had available at the time - if it plays and sounds good - don't worry about it (some L-5s were made with birch - and few cold tell!)
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  #15  
Old 04-23-2020, 11:33 AM
upsidedown upsidedown is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
This might help: https://www.google.com/search?client...b-d&q=guitarhq

says they had arched backs from 1935.
doesn't say whether laminated or carved.
Gibson are notorious for changing specs depending on what they had available at the time - if it plays and sounds good - don't worry about it (some L-5s were made with birch - and few cold tell!)
Just seeing this. Sounds/plays great. Definitely not worried! Just curious.

Thanks for the link.
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