That's a pre-war, 1936 Gibson L-50 (the B in the factory order number of 725B corresponds to 1936, the L-50s were not given serial numbers). This is actually the most sought after version of the L-50 because it has the neck joint with the elevated fingerboard (the L-48 was a post-war guitar and never had that feature). There are several other features that pinpoint this guitar to the mid to late 1930s, but that neck joint is a very important feature and makes this version of the L-50 more like the higher end archtops that Gibson made than any other.
It was a real treat to have the binding come off in one piece, although I don't know how much it was skill vs my dumb luck 😉. It slipped my mind that we built the forms to shape the back. You can really see the edges of the back move when pressure was applied. Too Cool!
It was cool. I'm sorry I didn't have the camera going while you carefully separated the bindings from the back with the skill and patience of a surgeon.
Hey, you rock. Your guitars are the only arch tops being made today which sound good. What is the arching height of this guitar, and old Gibson's in general? Looks less than an inch.
Thank you so much for that compliment! This guitar had a relatively low arch--about 1/2" as I recall. I'm not sure if it came out of the factory that way or if the arching had possibly settled a little in the last 70 years.
If you're looking for a DIY tutorial video this ain't it. this two won't show when theyre dissasembling the guitar and butchering the poor thing, maybe they don't want you to see they dont know what the hell their doing.
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Im looking forward to the next in the series, thank you
Thanks for watching!
this is why you get an answering machine when you call your luthier :-)
Nice job on the back. I think most people would have trashed that guitar. Can't wait to see the finished instrument. So far so good Gary.
Thanks for watching, Mike. I'll get all of the edits done eventually.
First time I've watched you guys work, and I love it already!
Great! Thank you so much.
That's a pre-war, 1936 Gibson L-50 (the B in the factory order number of 725B corresponds to 1936, the L-50s were not given serial numbers). This is actually the most sought after version of the L-50 because it has the neck joint with the elevated fingerboard (the L-48 was a post-war guitar and never had that feature). There are several other features that pinpoint this guitar to the mid to late 1930s, but that neck joint is a very important feature and makes this version of the L-50 more like the higher end archtops that Gibson made than any other.
It was a real treat to have the binding come off in one piece, although I don't know how much it was skill vs my dumb luck 😉. It slipped my mind that we built the forms to shape the back. You can really see the edges of the back move when pressure was applied. Too Cool!
It was cool. I'm sorry I didn't have the camera going while you carefully separated the bindings from the back with the skill and patience of a surgeon.
Oooh... A new project!
Yes!
Hey, you rock. Your guitars are the only arch tops being made today which sound good. What is the arching height of this guitar, and old Gibson's in general? Looks less than an inch.
Thank you so much for that compliment! This guitar had a relatively low arch--about 1/2" as I recall. I'm not sure if it came out of the factory that way or if the arching had possibly settled a little in the last 70 years.
How did you loosen the glue bond on holding the back in place? Steam? Hot palette knife?
Just a room temperature palate knife most often. Hot knives at the head and tail blocks, where the joints were more secure.
I have an old gibson like that. It has 4 stamped numbers inside followed by a red pencil written number
Gibson certainly has a history with confusing serial number systems.
@@zimnickiguitars311
Mine is numbered 1004B followed by 55 in red pencil Actually plays well
I think it has a 1935-40 head stock , which would make it an L-50
A couple other people mentioned that too. I was only going by what the owner told me. Thanks for the observation.
Never put your hand in front of a chisel, especially when you are coming up against resistance. One slip, and you are out of action.
The construction techniques they've been using on this guitar originally weren't that great... Must've been be during the cost cutting times already.
I agree. A lot of the Gibsons I've seen have had some interesting quirks and not great detail. Yet, somehow, they are still considered icons.
If you're looking for a DIY tutorial video this ain't it. this two won't show when theyre dissasembling the guitar and butchering the poor thing, maybe they don't want you to see they dont know what the hell their doing.
Your Grammer doesn't represent you well!