1954 Gibson LG1. Opinions?

[Cat]

So a vintage guitar store not far from my home is selling a 1954 Gibson LG1 Acoustic for the equivalent of US$1300. Pics below, does anyone have any info / experience with these older Gibsons?

http://i10.ebayimg.com/03/i/05/9a/56/cd_3.JPG
http://i12.ebayimg.com/03/i/05/9a/7e/f3_3.JPG
http://i14.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/94/9b/b3_3.JPG

Cat

[Brew]

I love these small bodied Gibson LG's... I have had loads of them! Never an LG-1, though - mainly LG-0's and a 2, plus a B-25. And I still have my 1967 Epiphone equivalent, of an LG-0, the "Cabalerro".

The 50's ones (and right up to about 64/65) had a wider nut than the late 60s ones - and personally, those are my favourites. They have a sweet tone, warm and not too boomy. I think they are ladder braced (the LG-0 was, at least) so they aren't as robust as the J-45's and so on,. But if there is no "bellying", then it looks a good guitar. Don't know about the price, though...I have never paid more than 500/600 bucks for one.... but that was more than two years ago....

[Cat]

Ooh ok thanks Brew, I thought it was a bit on the expensive side of things. Looks like a nice piece though but I dont think Ill be buying it.

Cat

[Bytor1975]

Cat, that guitar only Bluebooks for $800 USD in Excellent condition, and $600 for average. Of course, I realize American made guitars are a bit higher in your neck of the woods... but that seems a bit high to me.

(but it looks cool as hell!)

[TexMexMike]

Looks like a nice example. But you would be paying a premium for it. If I had my heart set on one, and was you. I would perhaps keep my eye on ebay, or an American dealer who would be willing to ship to you. Might save you a some $$$.

I do admit, she is a beauty!!! :thumbsup:

[TexMexMike]

Shocked that NBTB's hasn't chimed in on this one. He will have the "true nitty and gritty" on this one! Might want to PM him. :bouncy:

[Cat]

Shocked that NBTB's hasn't chimed in on this one. He will have the "true nitty and gritty" on this one! Might want to PM him. :bouncy:
Yeah I thought he would have something to say :) Hey has anyone heard from NTBT lately?

Cat

[Bytor1975]

NBTB is still alive... but work has been kicking his ass! LOL!

[Cat]

NBTB is still alive... but work has been kicking his ass! LOL!
Aaah we've all been there...well those of us who actually work :) haha

Cat

[nothin but the blues]

Hey Cat, sorry it took so long for me to see this thread. Good ol' Bytor told me to take a look at it a few minutes ago. :thumbsup:

Ok, I'll try to give you as much info as my small, undeveloped, packed solid with gray matter mind can remember.

First, I'll say that the LG-1's are not totally bad guitars, but they are not really all that spectacular for the most part. Every now and again you will stumble across a good one, but the most I have played left me disappointed. I have found with many of these old Gibson guitars, that it is really hit or miss. You have to keep in mind when looking at these, that back in the days they were made, they were actually considered beginner/learner/student guitars, so sound quality, and playability varies pretty drastically at times. I would certainly hesitate buying one without playing it first (of course this one is close to you, so I'm guessing that wouldn't be a problem).

Price wise, it really all depends on the market when it comes to these things. A year or 2 ago, you could buy a 30's L-00 for a grand in great condition. Now a days, you'll see them go for as high as $4,000. There is a big difference in those old L-00's and the LG line of guitars however, being that the L-00's are much more highly regarded, and much more rare (especially in good/great condition). I'm not sure what the markup on guitars like this are up there, but even with that into consideration, I still think the asking price is a little high. If this was a LG-2, or LG-3 it would be a different story. It could be a gem though, you'd really have to go give it a try and see (of course I know that you already know that).

I'll try to give you some physical specs on it now.

The biggest thing that makes this guitar inferior to the LG-2's, and LG-3's, is that it has Ladder Bracing, rather than X-Bracing, which is typically much, much better in terms of tone. These older Gibsons with Ladder Bracing, are not really highly regarded.

The LG-1 was introduced in 1947, and was discontinued in 1968. They all had a Spruce Top, and Mahogany Laminate Back and Sides (However, there was some World War 2 models that came with Maple Back and Sides). As far as I know, they only came in Sunburst as well. It's been said the Burst on these are a little darker than the LG-2's and LG-3's to hide the cheaper Spruce Top. The necks are all Mahogany as well (again except for the World War 2 ones, which also sported a Maple Neck, as well as the Back and Sides). The Scale Length on these is 24.75". I'm not sure about the spacing at the nut though, I can't remember. There was very little changes during it's years of production. The pickguard was changed in 1955, and other than that at some point (in the 60's I believe) they changed to a Plastic Top Belly Bridge, and then eventually to a Rosewood Bridge with the Adjustable Saddle.

As far as investment value, there really is very little in any of these LG models. You'll see some going for stupid prices, but they are for the most part just that... stupid. The only models I know to be really collectable are the LG-2' and LG-3's that had the Script Logo, and even those aren't heavily collected, there are just to many of the LG's still out there. I personally think the prices you see on some of these guitars at times, is purely just because of the over all market, they think "Old Gibson, big money!". But, in terms of the LG series, the LG-0's and LG-1's are still kind of what they were back in those days... a beginner guitar. The LG-2's, and LG-3's are certainly better guitars for the most part.

But, if the guitar sings to you, then it doesn't really matter, and price wise at that point, is what ever you feel you would pay for it, or how badly you want it. :smoke:

But, going on pure information, and not having played it, I would personally pass on it. Might be worth checking out though, who knows it could be a little gem.

Hope this helps a little. :thumbsup:

[Cat]

As usual NTBT chimes in with a wealth of information.

Thanks mate, I appreciate your time and effort. I have since done a bit of reading on these models and spoken to a local luthier who is quite notable down here in Sydney by the name of Piers Crocker. He knows a fair bit about older Gibson acoustics, although certainly not as much as you, and he advised me that it is probably not worth the money. In fact the only reason I became interested in this particular guitar is due to an article I had read about some work he had done on an old Gibson J35, in which he was talking about how great a guitar some of the older Gibsons were for the price you could aquire them for. Unfortunately anything older than about 15 years gets "vintage" and "rare" status down here and thus the matching price tag, often undeservedly so, and I think this is the case with this model.

So long story short, I have done enough research to surmise that for the price this guitar isnt worth the 3 hour round trip down to the store to play it, so Im gonna give it a miss.

Thanks again for your help NTBT and all my other fellow Fenderpickers.

Cat

[nothin but the blues]

Very welcome my friend, glad I could be of help to you.

My knowledge of old Gibsons, Martins, etc. is a direct result of having no life, no wife, and a nasty leak in my inflatable girlfriend.

:thumbsup:

[Bytor1975]

... is a direct result of having no life, no wife, and a nasty leak in my inflatable girlfriend.


Bwah ha ha ha ha!:cracking

[Cat]

Very welcome my friend, glad I could be of help to you.

My knowledge of old Gibsons, Martins, etc. is a direct result of having no life, no wife, and a nasty leak in my inflatable girlfriend.

:thumbsup:
Cant help you with the first two but I do have a bicycle repair kit, could do the trick. :thumbsup:

Cat

P.S. I love this smilie :rock:

[Bytor1975]

Cant help you with the first two but I do have a bicycle repair kit, could do the trick. :thumbsup:

Well, many ladies do use the patch, so I guess it wouldn't be that big of a deal!

[TexMexMike]

Very welcome my friend, glad I could be of help to you.

My knowledge of old Gibsons, Martins, etc. is a direct result of having no life, no wife, and a nasty leak in my inflatable girlfriend.

:thumbsup:

:cracking Great info!!!