Gibson Guitars

[Tnfastbk]

My cousin, who helped me a lot on my car, grandfather recently past away. Well I have been finding out more about him by talking with my cousin. Turns out he used to be on the road with Don Gibson and was evidently one heck of a player, anyways he had several old guitars and my cousins mom got a Byrdland. The main question I have that they asked me if they should have it professionally cleaned or leave the road life on it? Any clue as to the value?

http://uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2011/02/gibson-byrdland.html

Its a 50's model

He also has a L-7

 

[rpmcarter]

Dang...that is a tough one. I'd say she stays in her natural state.

 

[Go Time]

I wouldn't clean it, the puke from some famous rocker could be on there and it could be "priceless" (you would have to do a dna test to get authentication but then his 17 kids by 17 mothers would sue you for rights to it) On second thought better clean it

 

[hyena429]

I wouldnt clean it..besides with a nice moist rag..then a dry rag.....getting the topical grime is fine..But having it detailed could ruin the value of it...cause collectors and guitar nuts look for that age and wear...That sometimes makes them more valueble than one thats been all cleaned...Unless its so worn out..then cleaning and restoring can bring its value up ...But a totaly original finish undetailed vintage guitar will allways be worth more...Shows its age...Shows its use...Shows a bit of history too.

 

[Tnfastbk]

I wouldnt clean it..besides with a nice moist rag..then a dry rag.....getting the topical grime is fine..But having it detailed could ruin the value of it...cause collectors and guitar nuts look for that age and wear...That sometimes makes them more valueble than one thats been all cleaned...Unless its so worn out..then cleaning and restoring can bring its value up ...But a totaly original finish undetailed vintage guitar will allways be worth more...Shows its age...Shows its use...Shows a bit of history too.

No its in tip top shape

 

[goodnigh]

Don't fix it, clean it or anything.

mike

 

[sm3570]

Rub some bacon and peanut butter on it and say it was Elvis'.

No offense intended to Elvis fans.

 

[hyena429]

I wouldnt clean it..besides with a nice moist rag..then a dry rag.....getting the topical grime is fine..But having it detailed could ruin the value of it...cause collectors and guitar nuts look for that age and wear...That sometimes makes them more valueble than one thats been all cleaned...Unless its so worn out..then cleaning and restoring can bring its value up ...But a totaly original finish undetailed vintage guitar will allways be worth more...Shows its age...Shows its use...Shows a bit of history too.

No its in tip top shape

I would just get a guitar shammy from a local store...To wipe it down each time you touch or " or some one else does" I seen some old guitars have permanent finger prints in the steel and finish..Counts how dirty the hands are that touch it..lol..Gibsons thou have a real thick finish and usualy hold up better ..And usualy the gear on them likes to get pitted a bit before they even have paint issues..lol

 

[luxstang]

Well, I'd say it all depends on how the guitar looks. Cleaning it is never a bad idea but BE CAREFUL!!

Those old guitars were painted with nitrocellulose lacquer that will rub off under some modern cleaners. I have seen guitars that were ruined by window spray for example.

Once it is clean, I would leave it as is. By that I mean don't refinish or otherwise restore.

Best idea would be to ask a good luthier or repair guy. they usually know how what to do and what not.

If you want I can ask around on my guitar forums if anyone knows a trustworthy repair guy. Just need to know in what area.

Lemme know if you want me to.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Well, I'd say it all depends on how the guitar looks. Cleaning it is never a bad idea but BE CAREFUL!!

Those old guitars were painted with nitrocellulose lacquer that will rub off under some modern cleaners. I have seen guitars that were ruined by window spray for example.

Once it is clean, I would leave it as is. By that I mean don't refinish or otherwise restore.

Best idea would be to ask a good luthier or repair guy. they usually know how what to do and what not.

If you want I can ask around on my guitar forums if anyone knows a trustworthy repair guy. Just need to know in what area.

Lemme know if you want me to.

Thanks but it is already what I would call clean and is road ready condition.

 

[luxstang]

Ok. That takes care of that.

 

[hyena429]

Well, I'd say it all depends on how the guitar looks. Cleaning it is never a bad idea but BE CAREFUL!!

Those old guitars were painted with nitrocellulose lacquer that will rub off under some modern cleaners. I have seen guitars that were ruined by

Gibson still uses nitro to finish all their guitars....But...Gibson takes time and most of the guitar cost sometimes comes from coating alone....lol..Unlike fender...alot of horror stories from bad nitro finished fenders and othere guitars....Gibson does it right.. and i figure if you cant get a guitar clean with a moist shammy ..You got more issues than a simple cleaning too me..lol

Sounds like all you need is a nice super soft shammy too keep new finger acids off it if she already nice....Its so easy to put light scratches in nitro finish with a bad rag.

 

[woodsnake]

"patina" is where the value is on anything old....I can't see the video at work, but I would recommend getting an appraisal first, and then decide what to do...

 

[Tnfastbk]

Here it is

 

[goodnigh]

FABULOUS!

mike

 

[mach1mama]

With something like that, you are better to leave them in there original unrestored condition. Don't collecters go crazy for that sort of thing,especially if it backs ups the guitars history. I would say leave it alone.

 

[sm3570]

Speaking of Gibson, I just saw a "Pawn Star" episode where Chumley paid $1500 for a Gibson mandolin that turned out to be a fake. It ended up being worth $100. lol

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Bring it to Gruhn Guitar in Nashville and get a true value on it, you might need to add a rider to your homeowners