Gibson L-5: Does the model year of a James Hutchins signed L-5 matter?

[Stringswinger]

That damaged label would concern me. There may be an innocent explanation. I would bring a mirror with and examine the inside of the guitar for water damage myself.

That said, labels do fall off and it is possible that it somehow got damaged outside of the guitar. Ask the seller when you have the guitar in hand, before forking over the cash. Good luck!

[tomvwash]

That damaged label would concern me. There may be an innocent explanation. I would bring a mirror with and examine the inside of the guitar for water damage myself.

That said, labels do fall off and it is possible that it somehow got damaged outside of the guitar. Ask the seller when you have the guitar in hand, before forking over the cash. Good luck!

Yes, that is the first thing the luthier did after purchase this morning. We saw the two glue points where the label came off. It all checked out with the luthier, tip top shape!

[tomvwash]

Yes, that is the first thing the luthier did after purchase this morning. We saw the two glue points where the label came off. It all checked out with the luthier, tip top shape!

[Jabberwocky]

I have a 2002 ES-5N Switchmaster with a label that fell off. The dealers who had it left it unglued. Tom Gould was the first dealer who listed it on gbase. It remained unsold as Tom asked over $4400 for it. That was way above market price back in 2012. Tom Gould traded it in part to Dave's Guitars for the Super 400 Charlie Christian Natural and Super 400CESN Thinline Switchmaster. These latter two guitars found their way to two forum members here eventually. I bought the 2002 ES-5N from Dave's. Dave's had the Super 400CCN for sale priced at $8000 as a used guitar! I know because I nearly bought it from Dave's in 2012. The Super 400CES Thinline Switchmaster was higher priced at over $12500.

Sorry for the ramble. I wonder what kind of Gibson appropriate glue I could use to reattach the label. It is in a ziplock sandwich bag in the case.

[tomvwash]

I have a 2002 ES-5N Switchmaster with a label that fell off. The dealers who had it left it unglued. Tom Gould was the first dealer who listed it on gbase. It remained unsold as Tom asked over $4400 for it. That was way above market price back in 2012. Tom Gould traded it in part to Dave's Guitars for the Super 400 Charlie Christian Natural and Super 400CESN Thinline Switchmaster. These latter two guitars found their way to two forum members here eventually. I bought the 2002 ES-5N from Dave's. Dave's had the Super 400CCN for sale priced at $8000 as a used guitar! I know because I nearly bought it from Dave's in 2012. The Super 400CES Thinline Switchmaster was higher priced at over $12500.

Sorry for the ramble. I wonder what kind of Gibson appropriate glue I could use to reattach the label. It is in a ziplock sandwich bag in the case.

Interesting story. Mine is in a ziplock now as well. I want it back on (inside), of course, but probably will have the luthier do it, along with a setup.

[wintermoon]

They must be using some weak glue, the "Master Model" label in the only modern Gibson I own was floating around inside the guitar when I bought it. I never glued it back in, the next owner can if they please.

[Jabberwocky]

It is this called resale value that concerns me: how much does an unglued or lost label affect the resale?

I am aware of the feigned conniption fits lowball buyers go into when the dastardly Gibson invention of the Noughties called the COA is missing. It is just a ploy to get a lowball price. My answer is that there was a time when Gibson issued no COAs with their guitars. Would they be any less authentic then? I hate the damn COA. Who knew that buyers would put a value on it?

Sorry for the ramble again.

[Stringswinger]

It is this called resale value that concerns me: how much does an unglued or lost label affect the resale?

I am aware of the feigned conniption fits lowball buyers go into when the dastardly Gibson invention of the Noughties called the COA is missing. It is just a ploy to get a lowball price. My answer is that there was a time when Gibson issued no COAs with their guitars. Would they be any less authentic then? I hate the damn COA. Who knew that buyers would put a value on it?

Sorry for the ramble again.

I figure that buyers who are ignorant enough to demand a COA for a guitar that never had one in the first place are too much trouble to deal with in any case.

An unglued or lost label should not affect resale value, but it can scare buyers who do not have the sophistication to determine if the guitar is real or fake. It is easy enough to reglue a label that has come off. Missing labels of some years can be found in reproduction.