Help with gibson ID

[dminor]

Hello gang, my first post here. There is an estate sale coming up and they're offering some pretty beat up looking old Gibson acoustics.

I'm pretty sure this one is a J50...



this one probably a modded J160E....



there's a third one with the body of a J50 but with twin guards


a fourth one with a trapeze tailpiece.


Sorry for the lame pics but that's all I have until I go to the preview. Any help is much appreciated....Value...things to look for ect.

[VintAxe]

Hey dminor.

I really don't have very good sight recognition for acoustic guitars but I do think you are right about the first one being a J-50. In Average condition this guitar can be valued between $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the year it was made. With that wood loss around the soundhole and water damage this one is well below Average condition. In fact, all of these guitars appear to have suffered some water damage and will need a very careful inspection before money trades hands. The bottom one looks like it may have sat in water for awhile. If the glue has loosened you're facing a serious rebuild. Given it appears the pickguard has come loose on the last one I would say there is a strong possibility the glued joints have been compromised.

Sorry I can't help you ID the 3 unknowns. If you wanted to invest a few dollars subscribing to the Catalog Library you might be able to find the model numbers of the 3 unknowns in my Gibson catalogs. I just don't know. I don't recall Gibson flat top guitars using a trapeze tailpiece other than on 12 string models.

Anyway, I'd be very cautious about buying one of these orphans. You'll know much more after you can actually handle them.

[dminor]

Thanks for your reply....I was thinking water damage on some as well, and even before I can preview them I was only considering bidding if the bidding remains very low...and then possibly flipping them on the bay....there is alot more gear there that I'm interested in and it all looks to be in better shape than these examples...thanks again for your advise.

[VintAxe]

Sounds like a good strategy. If the actual instruments cannot be restored, the necks, tuners, pickguards, bridges, etc. are probably worth several hundred dollars. Good luck, I hope there are no "old guitar people" at the sale. But in reality, the sale will likely attract a few with the same intentions as you.

Let us know how things turn out

[viking]

your right about the j160e but they sounded terrible acoustically l was a gibson dealer and used to restore guitars and am now retired . My opinion as l still do some dealing and restorations non of them would be worth working on . they are parts guitars might get a good neck some wood for repair . l suggest keep your money.

[dminor]

[dminor]

I went to the auction and didn't win any of the guitars shown above, but I thought you might want to know what they sold for. All of them except for the bottom pic sold for in the $250-$300 range. The gospel in the bottom pic (which had a newer, badly done spliced in top on it, sold for around $125)

There was an old 40's something Gretsch model 50 that was really a mess....seperating sides and back...loose neck...rotten binding...that sold for $35

Actually, one of the better deals was a fender acoustic 12 from the 60's that went for around $150...and it was in pretty nice shape. And the same guy that bought all of the beat up gibsons got a gibson multiharp three neck steel guitar with the pedals for $250.

So, thanks for the advice...dm

[viking]

glad we could help ,anytime