Vintage Gibson guitar info?

[ACCLUDE91]

My girlfriend has a Gibson J-45ADJ acoustic guitar. She doesn't play so I consider it mine anyways

I know Gibson did some really screwey things with the serial #'s. I want to find out what year it was made and you're supposed to look at the serial# to tell the mfg. date. It's supposed to be inside the body's sound hole on the neck block. But it's not there. I know it's pre-1977 because they switched over to a new serial # system. I'm pretty sure it's a 1956 because it looks like the first model made based on pictures I've seen but I can't verify it. Anyone familiar with these things or know how I can find out how old it is? BTW, it does not have a factory order number either so there's basically nothing to reffernce.

I know this is and odd post for a car forum but I know there's some guitar collectors and players on here so hopefully one of you can help!

[DeathFromAbove]

shit i read up on thise while trying to get some info on my dad's mid 70's gibson eb4 bass (sg bass) to find out exactly what year it really was. i think it's a 76 77


gibson has info on their site
i remember if they start with certain letters or numbers, then it was after they moved their production factory...i think my dad's was still made in the old one. it's still really confusing as to what's what. and i've read the stuff over and over.

google gibson serial numbers

for reference, my dad's is 128723



it's sweet.

[ACCLUDE91]

Thanks man.

I know what to look for...but the guitar does not have any serial # or factory order # on it anywhere! From 1902-1970 they had either a serial #, a factory order #, both, or neither and this one has neither so there's nothing for me to look up! < That's the frustration setting in!

[DeathFromAbove]

there's no number on the back of the head? maybe jam a light and a dental mirror in the resonator hole and poke around a bit.


is it possible the neck was replaced at some point?
i know my dad's friend has a 62 telecaster, and we were under the impression the neck had been changed because of some serial number issue, but turned out to be original i think. valued at 5k US. i'd imagine yours would be worth a lot

find an expert. go to antiques roadshow!

i'll check something. there's an older gibson acoustic downstairs, i think my dad knows the year, i'll check

[ACCLUDE91]

That bass is sweet!

mine looks like this:



Minus the model #, THERE IS NOTHING WRITTEN OR STAMPED ANYWHERE!!!

Minus smashing the guitar and checking inside the body better there's nowhere else I can check. Look behind the headstock cover, on back, inside the body, there's nothing!

[DeathFromAbove]

i know i saw one time on antique roadhsow, someone had an old, late 50s prolly, fender jazzmaster guitar, and to check the year they actually removed the neck, cause it was stamped or branded there at the joint.

[ACCLUDE91]

Fuck that. This thing is in too good condition to pull it apart. Plus the jazzmaster has a bolted on neck and this one is built into the body. I want to get an estimate on value, but I need to know what year it is so I can look it up in the Vintage price guide. It even still has the original Gibson tag that was on it when it was bought brand new. It was purchased at a garage sale in the 70's for $5 by her aunt who then gave it to her

[DeathFromAbove]

snapped a shot of the acoustic for reference. serial number is on the back of the head 892596 and there is nothing inside the body anywhere.

[DeathFromAbove]

wowo, dumbass hippies didn't know what a gibson was worth? 5$? insane.


is there anything possibly on the tuning keys? that could give a clue as to when it was made.

[ACCLUDE91]

nothing....just Kluson Deluxe

Popped the truss rod cover off and nothing under there.

Also just looked better inside the body and nothin there either.

There is no numbers anywhere!

[DeathFromAbove]

well on ebay, there's an old one from 1917 and the serial number was on the sticker or whatever inside the body. and i see another old one where the SN is also there and nowhere else and it was a 1950 model..... so i think you should find out when gibson started branding them into the back of the head. and then it automatically has to be before that.

[PakaloloHonda]

mine looks like this:

OMG !!!! That J-45 is shhhhaaweeeeeeet !!!!!!!
5 bucks at a garage sale huh? I'll give ya 50 .. paypal right now !!!

I had a 72 Gibson Humming Bird .. same SunBurst as that .. and the serial # was on the head.
You could also call Gibson, right there in Kalamazoo Mich. .. they'd be happy to help ya ..

Ok .. final offer .. 100 bucks .. paypal is waiiiting ..

A Hui Hou !!!
Tomi

[DeathFromAbove]

those are 60's 70's kluson deluxe for SG ES LP is that's of any help.

Patent No.D-169400



http://www.provide.net/~cfh/kluson.html


^^^i think this might help.

[ACCLUDE91]

good idea! I still think 1956 for some reason. I'll keep on hunting till I find it. I'm guessing it's worth somewhere between $4,000-$6,000 based on age and quality but I want to find out for sure. Thanks for all your help man!

[DeathFromAbove]

1964-1969:
"Kluson Deluxe" is in two vertical lines on the tuner housing. These are known as "double line" Klusons, where the prior pre-1964 variant is known as "single line" Klusons.


with that, i just found out that the acoustic downstairs is between those years. nifty. or possibly intor the early 70's depending on how much stock of that version gibson had.