Played an old Gibson

MartinMan1990 · #1 04-22-2018, 12:53 PM

Got the chance to play a 1937 Gibson L-00 earlier this afternoon and was blown away. So lightly built and very responsive, this thing had major vintage mojo. I have never played a Gibson that I was sold on and this thing really called my name. My favorite part was the neck-most comfortable neck I have ever played.

So my question. What is it worth? I would place the guitar at very good condition, especially for its age. It has a black finish with fire stripe pick guard, bound top and back, replacement report buttons with a center seam repair. The shop is currently selling this for $3500 but I should be able to get the price down some. I am also considering trading a 2017 Taylor 816ce and an electric for it.

walknbass · #2 04-22-2018, 02:33 PM

It would be very hard to give someone an appraisal for any instrument
without at least seeing pics, although that number you throw out is a
real middle of the road value for this guitars.

They do have somewhat a reputation of being a real good player
or a real dud.

Silly Moustache · #3 04-22-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinMan1990

Got the chance to play a 1937 Gibson L-00 earlier this afternoon and was blown away. So lightly built and very responsive, this thing had major vintage mojo. I have never played a Gibson that I was sold on and this thing really called my name. My favorite part was the neck-most comfortable neck I have ever played.

So my question. What is it worth? I would place the guitar at very good condition, especially for its age. It has a black finish with fire stripe pick guard, bound top and back, replacement report buttons with a center seam repair. The shop is currently selling this for $3500 but I should be able to get the price down some. I am also considering trading a 2017 Taylor 816ce and an electric for it.

Hi.MM, I am not a Gibson man and as I am in the UK, I can't comment on the value in the US, but .... I have had two experiences with elderly Gibsons that haunt me.

I tokk it into my head some years ago that I wanted a Gibson L-1 - y.know the one associated with Robert Johnson. Although Gibson had produced sme modern versions,I was advised by a Gibson dealer not to rish buying one as he ad seen a number of poor quality ones.

I got a call from a nearby specialist shop asking if I was still looking for one. Yes, they told me to get over to the shop asap. I went that afternoon.

They showed me a Nick Lucas version of the small bodied 12 fret guitar, which although it had been refinished in, I think, Scandinavia, it captivated me.
The experience resembled the storyline in Guy Clark's song "The Guitar" (Link to the video at the bottom.

It "played me" - so resonant so easy to play - but ...they wanted £6000, and my wife and I were working to scrape together the funds to move house.
I said "I'll think about it" and drove home.

I told my wife about it and she said "buy it!", I rang the next morning to be told that it sold shortly after I left. I still think about it.

More recently, an acquaintance who is a blues player came to my club, he had an early L-00 which he had rebuilt. I couldn't put it down. He was not interested in selling.
Both instances convinced me that I "needed" a Gibson style small bodied guitar and searched around looking for a new one. Nothing worked for me, and I ended up with a Waterloo WL-12.
It's a perfectly good guitar, no magic, but it'll do.

srick · #4 04-22-2018, 03:03 PM

I’m not sure where you found that gem, but I played the same model several weeks ago at the Music Emporium. And yes, it was certainly one of the best sounding and playing guitars in the shop that day. It wasn’t in the best of shape, and as I remember, the price was about $1900.

If you make a cash offer (not credit card) with no trade, you will likely get your best price.

Good luck,

Rick

Woolbury · #5 04-22-2018, 04:16 PM

Have you clicked on Reverb and looked at the 30'd L-00's for sale there? Most are $4k or more, so pretty sure the price range for yours is what you'll have to pay for a nice one. The fact that you've seen it and been able to play it makes it a bit more valuable than fishing on the web.

I have a '46 LG2 that I love. Having a vintage small body Gibson will create a spot in your heart that few other guitars can fill.

zombywoof · #6 04-22-2018, 04:49 PM

My first Gibson way back when was a 1930s L-00. A lot will depend on whether the guitar was built before or after around 1936. The earlier guitars are amazingly lightly built with slightly skinnier braces and a significantly thinner bridge plate. For what it is worth, I think the early 1930s L-00, L1, L2 and Kel Kroydens are the best small body guitars Kalamazoo ever turned out. But what made them sound so good also made them more fragile. So there is some advantage to sticking with the later ones.

Hard to say anything about value without eyeballing the guitar. But the price you quoted is well within the normal range and not bad at all. Also, Gibson does make an L-00 Legend. These are about as close as you are going to get to the real deal.

MartinMan1990 · #7 04-22-2018, 06:08 PM

I will inquire with the owner further this week. Although a very reputable dealer, I am still hesitant due to my little knowledge with vintage guitars.

Mr. Jelly · #8 04-22-2018, 06:14 PM

Tough call. If you say it's worth it's worth it. It'd be nice to at least get it down to $3,200. All one can do is try.

robj144 · #9 04-22-2018, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinMan1990

Got the chance to play a 1937 Gibson L-00 earlier this afternoon and was blown away. So lightly built and very responsive, this thing had major vintage mojo. I have never played a Gibson that I was sold on and this thing really called my name. My favorite part was the neck-most comfortable neck I have ever played.

So my question. What is it worth? I would place the guitar at very good condition, especially for its age. It has a black finish with fire stripe pick guard, bound top and back, replacement report buttons with a center seam repair. The shop is currently selling this for $3500 but I should be able to get the price down some. I am also considering trading a 2017 Taylor 816ce and an electric for it.

I think that's a good price for it:

https://reverb.com/item/5858863-gibson-1937-gibson-l-00

Wade Hampton · #10 04-22-2018, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walknbass

They do have somewhat a reputation of being a real good player
or a real dud.

There's a local guy here in Anchorage who has had a number of 1930's-vintage L-00's pass through his hands. He would agree with that statement. The way he put it was that they can be great or they can be a complete waste of wood.

whm