L-4 CES without serial stamping?

Drifter · #1 07-06-2010, 11:08 AM

Just out of curiosity: On ebay Germany, there's a nice L-4 CES but it doesn't have the serial stamping on the back of the headstock. First Gibson I see without it. Any Gibson pros here that could comment on that?

Gibson L-4 CES Mahogany Wine Red Custom Shop Nashville bei eBay.de: E-Gitarren (endet 24.07.10 18:18:24 MESZ)

randyc · #2 07-06-2010, 12:40 PM

Avoid it - all Gibsons are stamped as you stated, even the cheapest models, which the L-4CES is not. Good catch, Drifter !

Cheers,
Randy

JohnW400 · #3 07-06-2010, 12:44 PM

Yeah , and what about the tail piece? Ever see a Gibson with 2 types of wood on the tail?

Plus the finish is 'off'

Drifter · #4 07-07-2010, 11:27 AM

I've seen that tailpiece before. And what do you mean by the finish being 'off'?

Still just out of curiosity - I'm not in the market for an L-4 right now - I've spoken to the seller, an authorised Gibson dealer. He told me that Custom Shop hollow Gibsons from time to time don't have the serial stamping, not only L-4s. Of course they have the serial on a badge inside the body. It sure would be interesting if that could be confirmed. Has anybody ever seen a high end Gibson without it?

By sheer coincidence, I've found these pictures of the headstock of the 1934-L5:

This raises some confusion, doesn't it?

randyc · #5 07-07-2010, 11:56 AM

The tailpiece is the same as my L-4CES as far as I can tell. It looked strange at first glance but I think I'm seeing a reflection rather than an artifact of the tailpiece itself.

I have three custom shop Gibsons, all have serial numbers stamped on the back of the headstock. I think that JohnW400 has owned many custom shop Gibsons so he'd know too. I'd ask the question on the Gibson website forum rather than accepting a dealer's statement.

Perhaps John's comment on the finish was due to the photo - it doesn't look like the typical "wine" finish - looks sort of brownish to me. But it's not uncommon for digital photos to slightly change the colors when tinkering around with the editing process.

As far as the old one shown above, who knows what the practice was for pre-war models ? Even the serial numbering system was inconsistent until around 1948 I think.

Cheers

derek · #6 07-07-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

The tailpiece is the same as my L-4CES as far as I can tell. It looked strange at first glance but I think I'm seeing a reflection rather than an artifact of the tailpiece itself.

I have three custom shop Gibsons, all have serial numbers stamped on the back of the headstock. I think that JohnW400 has owned many custom shop Gibsons so he'd know too. I'd ask the question on the Gibson website forum rather than accepting a dealer's statement.

Perhaps John's comment on the finish was due to the photo - it doesn't look like the typical "wine" finish - looks sort of brownish to me. But it's not uncommon for digital photos to slightly change the colors when tinkering around with the editing process.

As far as the old one shown above, who knows what the practice was for pre-war models ? Even the serial numbering system was inconsistent until around 1948 I think.

Cheers

I completely agree with the above assessment. There have been plenty of Gibson knock offs in recent years. Caveat Emptor

Drifter · #7 07-07-2010, 12:19 PM

Great comments, thanks. There's nothing much to add other than the pictures of course show the new reissue of the 1934-L5.

JohnW400 · #8 07-07-2010, 12:31 PM

The things that are throwing me off are:

It looks like the ebony piece on the bridge is mounted to a piece of blonde wood before it get's monted to the gold plated tail piece.

The finish looks dull or matte. It may just be the picture.

The lack of a serial number or any other labeling on the back of the head stock.

However I haven't touched a new Gibson in about 3 years so it is possible that Gibson now makes them like this.

The pluses are it is being offered by a Authorized Gibson Dealer. If they say it's genuine then it should be. If it's not you would have a great lawsuit

randyc · #9 07-07-2010, 02:16 PM

John, I don't know if the inlay has always been made like that but mine is the same way - it's about 15 years old - looks like a layer of maple under the ebony on top. One final point - the wine color is the least desirable, so I've heard, for resale purposes.

derek · #10 07-07-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

John, I don't know if the inlay has always been made like that but mine is the same way - it's about 15 years old - looks like a layer of maple under the ebony on top. One final point - the wine color is the least desirable, so I've heard, for resale purposes.

True, unless they make it in black. But then my understanding is, this is true of all Gibby archtops. I kinda like wine though.

JohnW400 · #11 07-07-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

John, I don't know if the inlay has always been made like that but mine is the same way - it's about 15 years old - looks like a layer of maple under the ebony on top. One final point - the wine color is the least desirable, so I've heard, for resale purposes.

Wow I don't ever remember noticing that and I have played L4's. I know on the Norlin Era L5's, HR's and 175's that the rosewood block is 100% rosewood.

I wonder when they started to skimp on the ebony?

I stand corrected.