NGD: 1953 Gibson J-50 score!!

[Hiwatt Bob]

Picked up this J-50 today. Everything about it is 1953, including the FON code--but the pickguard seems strange because i don't believe they started using the larger (non-teardrop) shape until like late 54 or something. but if they did replace the pickguard, it was a LONG time ago, because all the finish checking and (substantial) wear fits with it. has a really nice neck--probably chunky by most standards, but much smaller than the Banner i just got. downside is that it has had some pretty substantial cracks repaired on the backside. everything is cleated, but still. Also, the wear on the front is like approaching Trigger caliber. i'm pretty sure the tuner buttons were replaced a while ago as well.

Sounds fantastic and the action is really nice. and i won't worry so much about taking this one out of the house. Best part is--i got it off Craigslist for $2K even. Didn't really have much of a gear budget after getting the Banner...but i couldn't refuse that kind of deal.






sorry guys, got to go have a threesome with this lovely pair of beauties:

[zhivago]

Slope shoulder heaven right there!

This one is much like my early '52...the pickguard definitely is a replacement as you say, but still, very cool looking guitar, and for $2k it was a steal!! These are still lightly braced, scalloped, two tonebar Jumbos...all the good stuff you want...AND brazilian rosewood on the board and bridge.

Very cool

[sookwinder]

nice looking pair of gibby dreads.
Is there a noticeable difference in sound between them?

[Hiwatt Bob]

Thanks dudes!

To be honest, they sound very similar--I'd say about 90% the same. most of the difference is the feel--the neck on the banner is much thicker (which I prefer) and the body is lighter so you can feel the body vibrate as you're playing it. The J50 has newer/higher frets, so that makes it play a little different. but on the whole they're very similar tone wise/character wise.

[sookwinder]

On a side topic, I have always been intrigued by the angle of the saddle on "really old Gibson" acoustics compared to just "old Gibson" acoustics. It may well be a function of the angle of your photo but it always seems to me that the angle of the saddle on old banner acoustics appears more perpendicular than the more modern acoustics. But having never held or played a banner acoustic I do not really know.

Is there a difference in the angle of the saddle relative to the neck between the two guitars?

[Hiwatt Bob]

Without taking exact measurements—it appears to be the same. And the intonation is also very similar—so I’d have to assume they’re pretty close.

Visually, the rectangle rosewood block on the banner vs the ‘belly’ on the later ones might give it the illusion of having more of an angle.

[Ursa Minor]

Man, you're on a roll! And what a deal! Congrats!

[offsets4life]

Those are both very nice.