Gibson Acoustic Identification

Hello again and thank you in advance for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I am on the verge of purchasing an older Gibson acoustic guitar. The current owner is telling me it is from the 1940s. The only markings on it other than Gibson on the headstock are in the top of the body which reads S2116 27 (and there may be a 1 after the 27 or it may just be an ink spot). I have attached a photo as well. I am trying to determine the model and year.
http://cincybg.com/Gibson.aspx
Thanks,
Peter
http://cincybg.com/Gibson.aspx

You can email Gibson customer service a few pictures and some details and they will give you a definite answer usually in a few days.

Hello again and thank you in advance for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I am on the verge of purchasing an older Gibson acoustic guitar. The current owner is telling me it is from the 1940s. The only markings on it other than Gibson on the headstock are in the top of the body which reads S2116 27 (and there may be a 1 after the 27 or it may just be an ink spot). I have attached a photo as well. I am trying to determine the model and year.
http://cincybg.com/Gibson.aspx
Thanks,
Peter
http://cincybg.com/Gibson.aspx

1959 J45.

Sweet guitar!

I am far from an expert, but that's what it looks like to me. An S serial number puts it at 1959 according to the Gibson Fabulous Flat Tops book.

Cheers,
Geoff

It is tough to tell from that one picture but it doesn't appear to be a J-45 but a '59 LG-1 or LG-2. That is a smaller bodied Gibson, not a dreadnaught like a J-45. I've had plenty of old J-45s, still have one plus an old LG-2 and while I like both the dreadnaughts and the little LGs are kind of of like 'night and day'.

The LG-1 is ladder braced, the LG-2 is X-braced and there is quite a difference in not just value but tone between the two. I'd determine just what it is before I'd buy it unless it's very cheap like $500 or something.

It is ladder braced, the binding is all intact, The finish is checking all over but no splits or cracks in the wood. I can but it for $700. I'll check the Gruhn book and if the owner doesn't mind I'll make a few measurements and hopefully identify it for sure. Thanks!

It is ladder braced, the binding is all intact, The finish is checking all over but no splits or cracks in the wood. I can but it for $700. I'll check the Gruhn book and if the owner doesn't mind I'll make a few measurements and hopefully identify it for sure. Thanks!

Then that would make it an LG-1. Looks like it to me. Def not a J-45.

That is an LG1 and if it is a 59, that is a great year. I have a 1964 which still has the thicker neck than the LG1/LG2's built from 1965 on. They got pencil thin then and I have owned a couple and let them go.

Looks like the bridge has been replaced (most have been as they were plastic originally.) I have had the neck reset and put a K & K Mini Western pickup in mine and it is my current favorite to pick up and do my blues fingerstyle stuff. The ladder bracing nails the old blues acoustic tones to a Tee! Yes, an LG2 is probably worth more due to the X bracing, but give me a good ladder braced guitar for blues tones. I have enough X braced acoustics of different sizes and non can nail the tone I want for blues fingerstyle stuff. Also is a killer guitar for DADGAD, Drop D or Open G tunings. Great mid range tone from these. I get compliments all the time on the great tone of this blues box.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/lg1Bench.jpg

Want to see how a 48 year old guitar that has been played and gigged all over the US/England/Ireland looks up close? (No freezer can or artificial relic'ing here)

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/LGCracks1.jpg

1959 J45.

Sweet guitar!

I am far from an expert, but that's what it looks like to me. An S serial number puts it at 1959 according to the Gibson Fabulous Flat Tops book.

Cheers,
Geoff

As others have noted - not a J45. I knew it looked too square shouldered, but I may have had a beverage or three at the time of my post.

My apologies on the misleading info.

Still a nice guitar!

Cheers,
Geoff

I love Gibson LGs and own a 1947 LG-2.

The things you just gotta love about a 1959 LG are you still get the beefy neck (in 1960 Gibson went to what they called the slim, fast playing neck or something) and the rectangular bridge which I think was the best bridge design Gibson ever used.

The cheapest I have seen a late 1950s LG-1 go for in the past couple of years was $500 and that one needed some work so $700 would seem a good price assuming there are no major condition issues.