I aquired a Old F4..

[mrmando]

My understanding is that the pickguards are more likely to outgas and decay when the instrument is left in the case, in a relatively airtight environment. Heat and humidity, or the lack of it, may play a role as well. But if it hangs on the wall where air is circulating, the decay is less likely to happen. Maybe that's what happened here.

[CES]

Agree, that looks absolutely gorgeous. One of those is on my want list, and that condition looks exceptional!

[slimt]

Thanks for the comments everyone.. I think its pretty neat looking.. just didnt realize how much though..

[Timbofood]

It’s pretty darned cool, provenance is a plus. Keep it close, properly appreciated and just enjoy it! I’m a bit jealous but, I’m pretty sure it’s found a loving home!

[Jim Garber]

With the guards I've found that the teens and 20's last, they must've changed the composition in the 30's because those are the ones that really gas off and deteriorate. I've had them from all years and the 30's are more prone to the dreaded rot, some 30's guards I've had are just fine. It may be if an old Gibson was exposed to some sort of heat even while resting in its case that's why the guards crumble? I really think the 30's material is not as good as early stuff? Maybe someone good with chemical compositions will chime in?

I agree. My friends and I have had quite a few teens and twenties Gibsons and kept them in the cases with no problems with the pickguards outgassing and crystallizing. The only one that had a problem was a 1930s EM-150. I took the pickguard out of the case and stored it in the air. Also had a repro made.

[rcc56]

I've seen quite a few of the teens guards go bad.

I believe that a contributing factor is a chemical reaction that can occur when the embedded nails and/or support rods rust. Often you will see that the deterioration on the teens guards starts above the embedded metal parts.

I suspect that a time will come when a pre-war Gibson with its original guard will become a rarity.

[jimmy powells]

I found the listing amusing when he said 'I just picked up an old F4' inferring that there were a good few of these around when there isn't. It's as if he just wandered into some old second hand shop and found this for $500 or whatever.

Quite a find indeed. I could just look at it all day long.

[slimt]

I found the listing amusing when he said 'I just picked up an old F4' inferring that there were a good few of these around when there isn't. It's as if he just wandered into some old second hand shop and found this for $500 or whatever.

Quite a find indeed. I could just look at it all day long.

Hi.. ya.. no, Didnt find it at a second hand shop.. I did pay abit for it.. as I do know F4 in most cases are not cheap.. I also made sure the family got what they wanted.. they set a price.. and I paid.. ..

I do pickup some pretty cool items though... eg;; 34 14 fret..



this is about as Rare as they get..

and a Pointsettia

[thecelloronin]

A museum piece destined for a better fate. Play the hell out of it (and post some recordings for us!)

[slimt]

Thanks everyone for chiming in. Much appreciated.

[hank]

What a great time machine to have found. Enjoy.

[Zigeuner]

If the pickguard is celluloid, like it should be, can anyone explain why it’s in such good shape? Most of them with any kind of age on them start to self destruct because of the inherent chemical instability. Rotting, crumbling, offgassing. This one looks factory fresh.

I understand that excessive moisture/humidity will cause celluloid (cellulose acetate) to crumble over a period of years. When I received my 1917 A-3, the pickguard had long since crumbled to dust. I recreated one from modern materials using numerous pictures that I found on the Internet. There are originals around from time to time on eBay but they are uually very pricey.