Re: What are good years for old Gibson j-50 guitars?

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Egrep Yacclex) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Thanks for all the great information!  So, I did an internet search
> and came up with what might be some "bargains".  Maybe some folks 
> have personal experience with these guitars?
> 
> Elderly Instruments (Michigan):
>  1951 GIBSON J-50, $1,950.00 
>    http://gbase.com/gearlist/guitar_picture.asp?guitar=521103
>    (Weird pickguard, though)
> 
> Atlanta Vintage (Georgia)
>  1952 Gibson J-50, Natural, Fair, SSC, $1,500.00
>   http://gbase.com/gearlist/guitar_picture.asp?guitar=496871
>   (I called - completely resprayed - even *over* the bridge)
> 
> Real Guitars (Florida)
>  1956 Gibson J-50, Natural, Fair, HSC, $1,250.00
>  http://gbase.com/gearlist/guitar_picture.asp?guitar=492057
>  (Many repairs, including a reglued heel)
> 
> I know it's best to try them out myself, but before I start
> asking about all of that, I wonder if anyone here has any
> direct experience with (or comments about) any of those "cheap"
> old J-50s.
> 
> P.S. I hope I'm not too off topic here talking about guitar
> gear so much.  I just think that there is an appreciation of
> these old Gibson guitars amongst old-timers!

You bet, there's interest in these old Gibsons among old-timers!

The only one of these shops I know anything about is Elderly, and
they're definitely reputable. On the other hand, their J-50 has had a
heel repair, which would make me leary and would probably make it
tough for you to sell, if it ever comes to that. Also, you might be
looking at spending some more money to take off the extra pickguard
and touch up the top. The one from Real Guitars also has a heel
repair. Their price is quite low, but I'd be scared of that heel
repair. Also, the bridge looks oversized, which makes me wonder about
the quality of the repairs. It's hard to judge the one in Atlanta. A
light overspray wouldn't bother me all that much, but if it's a heavy
overspray and it's dripped, ugh!

I tend to go for players instruments (not museum pieces), but I try to
buy guitars that'll hold their value. Of course, it doesn't always
work that way....

--John