Members sunset_gun Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 I just found an abandoned 1965 Gibson LG-0 acoustic in the garage, left by an old roommate. I was stoked top find it...until I realized the neck is kinked and the bridge is lifting - probably why it was left behind. The kink starts where the body and neck meet. It also has an original case. I know the LG-0 was a student models...is this thing worth fixing? Is it worth any money?
Members Stackabones Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 My first impulse would be to take it to someone and get a guesstimate. But ... if you post some pics, there are some really good folks in this forum who can probably point you in the right direction. I'm not handy with git repairs, but the forum's got a few who are.
Members dhoenisch Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 Is that the one with the screwed in plastic bridge? My banjo instructor was repairing one, and it seemed like a decent guitar, as long as the plastic bridge was replaced. I can't remember if the top was solid or laminated on that guitar though. Dan
Members sunset_gun Posted September 17, 2007 Author Members Posted September 17, 2007 Is that the one with the screwed in plastic bridge? My banjo instructor was repairing one, and it seemed like a decent guitar, as long as the plastic bridge was replaced. I can't remember if the top was solid or laminated on that guitar though.Dan It appears to be ebony. No screws are visible. I will try and get some pics up tonight. Thanks.
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 Run thru the Sick guitar measurements and post those too - depending on how much the neck is "kinked" it might be expensive to fix. However some of us who are trying to learn instrument repair actually seek out guitars like this to practice on - I'd rather screw up a neck reset on this than a prewar D-28.
Members dhoenisch Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 Judging by all of the reviewshttp://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/product/Gibson/LG-0+Acoustic/10/1 It looks like the guitar is worth saving, and is worth a few dollars. Definately get pictures of the guitar, especially the kink in the neck that you speak of. Also, if the bridge is wood, I believe that may be an after market repair? Don't know. Also, if the bridge is lifting, check to see if there is a bulge behind the bridge. This may tell you whether it is heat damaged, what with the bridge lifting and all. The bridge plate may also be split in two, which means you'll need to replace it, or overlay it. I've already repaired three guitars that have heat damage, and these are the symptoms. I am currently working on one where I had to steam the top and clamp it down to get it flat again, overlaid the bridge plate, replaced the bridge, and now am going to need to do a neck reset since that started lifting as well. Heat really kills guitars. Dan
Members dhoenisch Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 However some of us who are trying to learn instrument repair actually seek out guitars like this to practice on - I'd rather screw up a neck reset on this than a prewar D-28.I'm one of those folks, and appearantly live right in your backyard. Hint, Hint Dan
Members sunset_gun Posted September 17, 2007 Author Members Posted September 17, 2007 I'm honestly not all that interested in getting it fixed. I would rather sell it to someone who is interested in fixing and playing it. The rest of the guitar is in pretty good condition and it sounds good, plays well up in the first five positions or so...some finish-checking, but that is to be expected. I actually live in Wheaton, about 20 miles due West of the City. Where do you live? I will PM you some pics later on tonight.
Members dhoenisch Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 I live in justice, so not too far from you. Dan
Members guitarist21 Posted September 17, 2007 Members Posted September 17, 2007 I just found an abandoned 1965 Gibson LG-0 acoustic in the garage, left by an old roommate. I was stoked top find it...until I realized the neck is kinked and the bridge is lifting - probably why it was left behind. The kink starts where the body and neck meet. It also has an original case. I know the LG-0 was a student models...is this thing worth fixing? Is it worth any money? I have the exact same guitar. Probably close to the same year too. Also, I went to high school in Elmhurst and have a bunch of friends at Wheaton College. I'm in Boston for school right now but I will totally be in your neck of the woods around Thanksgiving and Christmas so hit me up if need to have an LG-0 jam or something. As far as resale value, they average out around $500 in places like Guitar Center, usually a little cheaper on Ebay. Most of the time they're not worth that much because like you hinted at, guitars from that time period often need a lot of work. The LG-0s were Gibson's "student" guitars at the time and weren't exactly made quite as awesomely as some of their other guitars. Like someone mentioned, they were made with plastic bridges at first (mine was) and then Gibson realized this was dumb and made them with wood later. Many folks got their plastic bridges replaced. These guitars are ladder-braced and like many old guitars have been weather-damaged. If you love the sound of the guitar and it isn't hugely damaged, it is worth it to get it fixed. (Pics would be helpful here) If the top is really messed up then it might not be worth getting a new top. That is a serious repair. If it needs a neck reset, that's also a huge repair but is a more common repair than getting a top replaced. There are some okay guitar guys out in the western suburbs but you might have better luck in the city. Let me know if you need names of good places to go. Ellen
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