Guitar question

[F-2 Dave]

Sorry for asking a guitar question, but I hate having to go through the process of joining a new forum just to ask one question. Plus, you guys are pretty sharp so here goes.

I just got an old Gibson L-50 arch top guitar. The guy I got it from said he bought it new around 1957 or so. There is no label inside, and no FON or serial number anywhere that I can find. Is there any other way to positively date this guitar? The features certainly suggest that it could be mid '50s, pick guard, headstock logo etc. I'd just like to nail it down a little closer.

Thanks a bunch. I'll try to post a picture.

[billhay4]

Did you look inside on the head block? You may need a scope to do this.
Bill

[LadysSolo]

I have a Gibson C-0 guitar, there is a number on the headstock and also inside (would have to go upstairs to see exactly where.) I would check on the head block also.

[F-2 Dave]

Looked at the neck block and couldn't see any markings at all.

[Ryk Loske]

The headstock logo and the fingerboard inlays and tailpiece are 50ish. The pick guard i believe to be non-original. Is the back flat or carved/pressed? If the price was right an L-50 is a great 16" arch top player.
Ryk

[Roger Moss]

Regardless of specs, she's a real beauty.

[Willie Poole]

Dave, Some Gibson guitars from the 50`s had the serial number also stamped on the end of the peg head... just thought I would mention it just in case it may have slipped your mind......My brother owned a `53 model that had it there ...

Willie

[NursingDaBlues]

I have a 1959 SJN Country Western and a 1959 LG-3. Both DO NOT have the serial number stamped on the back of the peghead. However, both DO have the serial number stamped on the end block. (I also have the original sales receipts for each.) While I would tend to date the OP’s L-50 as a late 50s (1957 – 1959) model, that would only be a guess. I’ve seen enough occurrences in their history that indicates Gibson didn’t employ the most astute inventory/production scheduling techniques; so who knows why this guitar doesn’t have a serial number.

However, the OP might check with a dental mirror whether a serial number or FON is penciled in under the top. I’ve seen some makers do that – although not necessarily Gibson.

[Verne Andru]

Sweet! Looks pretty minty.

[allenhopkins]

Well, here's what the Vintage Guitar guide to Gibson numbers has to say:

early 1955-1961: "A" series serial numbers on a orange label, on many models.
1952-1961: Factory Order Numbers beginning with the letter Q to Z, ink stamped on inside back, all hollowbody models.

So, according to this guide, the serial number should be on an orange label, and the FON stamped on the inside back.

Apparently the "L-50" designation was used for an arched-top, round-hole guitar with a trapeze tailpiece into just past WWII, when it became an f-hole arch-top. The only characteristic change Vintage Guitar recognizes in the L-50, was going from a bound pickguard to a laminated beveled-edge pickguard in 1949. The model is said to have been discontinued in 1971.