doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT- Vintage guitar 1937

Chuck, the Gibson guitar factory is in Memphis and they are pretty good at responding to queries. Here is the website http://www.gibson.com. They have a section dedicated to repair and restoration. Now that Elvis week is over here in Memphis I think you can safely contact them.

If you need help, I am here and will gladly check on things for you.

Jim

Chuck,

It would be nice to see you if you're back this way. Maybe we can get some shooting in also while you are here. I am going to see Mark on Tuesday. My Martin has a bridge problem that needs repair.

Bill G.

Hmmm, there must be a couple of locations for Gibson. Here is their Manufacturing Center in Bozeman--------http://www.mmec.montana.edu/SuccessStories/gibsonguitar.htm

Daryl,
In 1937, the Gibson's factory was in Kalamazoo. In 1984, Kalamazoo closed and production of guitars was split between Bozeman and Nashville, with flat top accoustics going to Bozeman. Or so says the book I have.

Apparently, the ol' man Gibson sold out to a group of investors in 1902 and the ownership of the company has changed hands a number of times including a period of ownership by an Ecuadorian company, then returning to American ownership.

Bill,
I'm leaning heavily toward meeting up with my wife at her sis' in Bridgewater. Partly to get the guitar fixed, partly to see my sis-in-law's family and partly to see you guys and your guns of NJ.

What Chuck H notes above is true. It can be somewhat confusing as production and names of instruments keeps going. The Bozeman/Broadus, Montana connection also has the distinction of being home to Flatiron instruments purchased by Gibson and Sound to Earth by Weber (now made in Logan). Kalamazoo facilities made Heritage instruments. I have much respect for the Gibson Custom Shop but you have a classic on your hands.

Being lucky enough to be in Michigan, I take my vintage and new stuff up to Elderly Instruments. You may check them out at http://www.elderly.com. While they have some more than competent luthiers at their disposal, I would probably more recommend Simon or start with George Gruhn at Gruhn Guitars. George literally wrote the book. See http://www.gruhn.com. Both Elderly and Gruhn are in the business. I would liken these shops to Purdey and H&H. Simon I like to think is a Trevallion.

I am virtually certain that you need to have the piece looked at for stability but that the recommendation will be that it just needs to be played. Any of these places will be able to recommend ways to keep its environment at the proper humidity.

Acoustics are made in Bozeman. Electrics are made in Nashville. Gruhn will appraise it for you. It is worth a LOT of money.

http://www.gruhn.com/

Thanks guys. I knew I'd get the right guidance here.

From the comps and Fjestad's BlueBook, I gather this model in very good/excellent condition is in the $3500-4000+ value range. Since this one is damaged, of course it'd be worth considerably less as is. Repaired, I suppose it would be worth more than as is today. How much would depend on the repair outcome I suppose. Not that it matters much except as to how much it influences me to spend on the repair. It's not going on the market anytime soon, although Bill may get to play it a bit since I can't play a note. But if I get this guitar fixed, I may learn.

Oh! and it's amazing to me how many of the membership here are guitar enthusiasts as well as doublegun enthusiasts. There! I've made the connection to doubleguns. I feel a little better about this use of Dave's site for this now.

Chuck, whether you play it or not, the guitar is certainly worthy of being brought back to optimum playable condition. You'd be wise to spend whatever it takes to have it put right. I don't believe you'll be sorry. It's a wonderful instrument. -- Ed

It may not need to be repaired in the sense of gluing, etc. Have you ever seen Willie Nelson's guitar? It has a large hole in it. A crack from an f hole on up may only need to have a bit more humidity in its life. A player/appraiser will have to handle the instrument to tell you more. Once work is done, it may be that some value evaporates as it is all in the original condition plus playability. Since so many of these kinds of guitars have gone to collections (in places like Japan), it's great to hear of one coming out from under the bed.

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CsgHWMUVR0

Chuck, you may want to have a very good luthier do the work. The best I know is in Florida. His name is Augustino LoPrinzi. He is VERY old so be patient and it will be like new when he is done. A true old world master craftsman.

http://www.augustinoloprinzi.com/