1948 Gibson L-5CN with names written inside

[ThatRhythmMan]

I wasn’t sure whether to post this here or under players. I currently have a 1948 Gibson L-5CN with “B Kessel” and “Dan Perri” written in pencil on the inside back, near the label. Barney Kessel and Danny Perri were certainly contemporaries in the world of the 1940s and 1950s music industry, both working primarily as jazz guitarists. Then again these could have been written in by someone just goofing around. I thought I would see if by chance there was any collective insight on the forum. See the pics below.






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[omphalopsychos]

Definitely fake let me take that guitar off your hands.

[deacon Mark]

Kessel from my recollection always had an acoustic L5 guitar around when he did studio work. He knew the trusty 350 did not cover some types of work. That of course explains why he always had a Fender Telecaster in the mix.

In any case a wonderful guitar to own how does it sound compared to your D'a and the 40 L5 Valenti?

[customxke]

I was slow on the draw on that one.

[wintermoon]

it's not Barney's
if it was he wouldn't have tried to fit a pencil in the f hole, he would've just engraved his ss # on it

[ThatRhythmMan]

it's not Barney's
if it was he wouldn't have tried to fit a pencil in the f hole, he would've just engraved his ss # on it

Interesting that it’s written the same way though.


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[wintermoon]

Interesting that it’s written the same way though.


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same way?

[ThatRhythmMan]

same way?

Block capital letters “B KESSEL” rather than full name. I realize that’s extremely far from conclusive, but interesting, circumstantially.


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[wintermoon]

Block capital letters “B KESSEL” rather than full name. I realize that’s extremely far from conclusive, but interesting, circumstantially.


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lol, well I guess it could only be one of the two
but hey, anything's possible.
I don't put much stock in things like that though. things like that are for people trying to make $ off of some 'celebrity' association
I have a guitar that belonged to a famous jazz guitarist [documented through pics]
I didn't know it until 25 years after I bought it and the guy I bought it from confirmed it then. I guess it's nice to know but that's about it as far as I'm concerned.

[wintermoon]

I guess I should've bought Charlie Christian's blonde ES-250 when it was offered to me before anyone else.
The dealer didn't know it and neither did I.
It took some now well documented sleuthing by Wheelwright to figure it out.
I'd have just kept it though, C Christian or not

[ThatRhythmMan]

I guess I should've bought Charlie Christian's blonde ES-250 when it was offered to me before anyone else.
The dealer didn't know it and neither did I.
It took some now well documented sleuthing by Wheelwright to figure it out.
I'd have just kept it though, C Christian or not

I would have kept it too. I’m guessing Lynn has been offered some substantial funds for it. I’ve gotten several very nice offers for one I have with significant provenance, but a documented CC guitar is on a different level in the collector world. Just look what Fred Guy’s Levin Deluxe has gone for at auction, just for being held by Django in a photo shoot. A documented Charlie Christian owned and played guitar would likely go for considerably more.


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[icr]

My 1936/7 L50 had writing on it, but it was on the underside of the carved top.

[ThatRhythmMan]

My 1936/7 L50 had writing on it, but it was on the underside of the carved top.

Hey! Gotta do your calculations somewhere!


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[Herbie]

My 1936/7 L50 had writing on it, but it was on the underside of the carved top.

Barney, Perri or Charlie calculated his band’s gig fees there.

[sgosnell]

Why didn't they just do the calculations on a handheld electronic calculator?

I still remember the first electronic calculator I ever saw. The chemistry department bought one while I was in college. It was about the size of the original PCs, and cost ~$5,000 1967 dollars. We were in awe of its speed in returning results. It could multiply, divide, add, and subtract, maybe square roots. Much easier and certainly faster than the mechanical adding machines we were used to, and much more accurate than our slide rules.

Thread drift again, sorry.

[58dutchie]

Hey, my ‘49 ES-5N has a complete written card inside, haha!

[Gitterbug]

Why didn't they just do the calculations on a handheld electronic calculator?

I still remember the first electronic calculator I ever saw. The chemistry department bought one while I was in college. It was about the size of the original PCs, and cost ~$5,000 1967 dollars. We were in awe of its speed in returning results. It could multiply, divide, add, and subtract, maybe square roots. Much easier and certainly faster than the mechanical adding machines we were used to, and much more accurate than our slide rules.

Thread drift again, sorry.

Less noisy, too. The mechanical calculators truly crunched the numbers. A visit to the Central Statistical Office in the early 1970s was deafening experience. I had an electronic Monroe at the central bank from the very start in 1971. My friend imported and sold palm-size Sinclairs like hotcakes.

[skykomishone]

I guess one could ask whether or not a guitar has soul, which has been defined as "emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance".

I know that when I pick up certain old guitars that I know were owned, played, and loved by very talented and accomplished musicians who have passed on that I think about them and feel inspired at some level through that connection. I also know that if I picked up Joe Pass's 175, or Charlie Christian's, or other notables guitar that I'd be juiced! I get energy when I play my M. Campellone Special because I know who made it and the energy, both intellectual and emotional that it reveals, of its creator, and my own when I play it. It goes with the guitar. I think.

[58dutchie]

Cool, I have A-1771, that's also a 1948 L5N. So those numbers are pretty close. Does yours read L-5 or L-5N on the label? Or do they all read just L-5, also the blonde ones (mine does)?

[ThatRhythmMan]

Cool, I have A-1771, that's also a 1948 L5N. So those numbers are pretty close. Does yours read L-5 or L-5N on the label? Or do they all read just L-5, also the blonde ones (mine does)?

That one just says L-5C on the label.


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[garybaldy]

My 1936/7 L50 had writing on it, but it was on the underside of the carved top.

A bit OTT taking the back off to take the pic!