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Frankenstein ‘59-‘68 Gibson LG 0?
I was recently gifted a Gibson LG 0 and it is beautiful, very playable condition, and so meaningful to me because of its owner and the way it was given.
I’ve spent some time researching it to figure out the year but several factors are not adding up. I’ve read that this is common with older Gibsons. I’m wondering if it’s been through some minor repairs along the way and what I have is an amalgamation of sorts, a Frankenstein Gibson, if you will. To be clear, nothing looks weird. All the key dating factors simply collide! Should anyone want to Wade into the mystery with me, here we go: 1. It’s ladder braced. Black binding. Natural color wood. All mahogany as far as I can tell. The serial number is 6 digits (963779) with “made in USA” on the headstock. (Online searches suggest multiple years). 2. It has a black pickguard that is NOT screwed in (this has really thrown me off because I can barely find any LG 0 without the screws. Maybe it’s a replacement?) 3. The bridge is spruce (as far as I can tell) and the string ends have torn through it a bit (does that make it 1958 or 1959?). 4. It has an adjustable rosewood bridge (so, does that make it 1966? 1968?). Here are some pictures. https://www.joshbales.com/gibson
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Martin HD-28 2005 Rainsong DR1100-N2 2018 Last edited by JMorris; 12-29-2022 at 07:17 AM. Reason: Grammar |
#2
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Hi Josh,
The top looks spruce to me. So perhaps it’s an LG 01? The volute and the made in USA stamp suggest late 60s. Gibson serial numbers from those days are cryptic to me. These are sweet little guitars. Yours looks in fine shape.
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Peace, Jimmy Optima dies, prima fugit |
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#4
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Thanks! So, if I’m reading the info correctly, does the “made in USA” push it to 1970, even though the serial number suggests 1968?
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Martin HD-28 2005 Rainsong DR1100-N2 2018 |
#5
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Sure does look in fine shape. I think the numbers take precedent in dating over the Made In USA… imho.
How great that a fine guitar like that has found an appreciative owner.
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i got tired of updating my guitars. |
#6
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What you've go there is a c.1970 B-25N.
Gibson didn't add he volute or "Made in USA" stamps to the back of the headstock until 1970. 1970 was also the last year of the adjustable saddle so it's pretty easy to pin this one down. In theory it could be late 1969 or very early 1971 as they didn't start or end features on the first of the year. Gibson serial numbers are just about useless from this era. |
#7
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It looks to me like it's a B-15N.
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=================================== '07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue (Fuller's) '18 Martin 00-18 '18 Martin GP-28E '65 Epiphone Zenith archtop |
#8
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How can you tell? Is there physical difference between a 1970 B-25n and a Spruce topped B-15? I've never noticed one. Outwardly they appear to be the same guitar. The bracing is different with the B-15 being ladder braced. I was assuming B-25 as they were far more common than the B-15 and far far more common than a spruce topped B-15 as most B-15's had Mahogany tops. |
#9
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Quote:
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=================================== '07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue (Fuller's) '18 Martin 00-18 '18 Martin GP-28E '65 Epiphone Zenith archtop |
#10
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Quote:
I just remembered the physical difference. The B-25 has binding and the B-15 does not. The OP's guitar has binding so I think it would have to be a B-25N |
#11
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Thanks everyone. This is so much fun. With the binding and the headstock, it does seem to add up more to be a b25 than the b15. Not that I can appreciate the difference at this point, but I’m so eager to know as much of the history as I can.
It was one of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever received…from a neighbor down the street who knows I play. I had helped her tune it a few months ago and told my wife, “if they every sell that guitar I hope I can get a shot at it.” When we asked about the price they researched it and said, “pretty steep…but we want to give it to your husband.” Amazing. I cleaned it up on Christmas morning and put new strings on it. The only other thing I might consider is some new pins. I’m in love! I have purchased (and returned) two modern Gibsons after significant issues with what seemed like quality control. So… I finally have a Gibson from a direction I never expected and that makes it all the more meaningful.
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Martin HD-28 2005 Rainsong DR1100-N2 2018 |
#12
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Quote:
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=================================== '07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue (Fuller's) '18 Martin 00-18 '18 Martin GP-28E '65 Epiphone Zenith archtop |
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gibson, lg0 |
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