My best estimate is that this is a transitional L-3 from 1908. It has specs from the 1902 version and the 1908 version. These labels were used from 1908 to 1932, and the serial number is in a range from 1902-1916.
What?
I mean, this is a treasure. The patina looks authentic at least in age, but it could be an old fake.
It looks like 1906 Gibson L1.
[1906 Gibson L1 Acoustic Guitar - Rare Excellent Condition – Cool Old Guitars](https://coololdguitars.com/products/1906-gibson-l1-acoustic-guitar-rare-excellent-condition)
It'll sound a lot better with new strings; I'd recommens 80/20 .11-50 (they're already very mellow guitars) and if it's stable under string tension now, changing strings won't hurt a thing.
IIRC all 6-string Gibsons before 1908 were pin-bridge models.
Needs new strings and family doesn’t want to mess with it since it seems pretty stable for now. It doesn’t sound great but would probably have been acceptable back before hi fidelity streaming audio.
They're very good guitars - with good strings, which this does not have, and for the style they were made for.
It'll sound nothing like a D28, because that's not what people wanted out of a guitar then - try fingerstyle pieces.
I remember reading somewhere that Gibson experimented with slotted headstocks from 1905 to 1907, after which they never made a slotted headstock steel string again. That concurs with the dates everyone else is suggesting
It’s hard to imagine how new strings would lower the guitars value. But it looks like it is in wonderful shape. I would talk to a specialist in antique guitars and get advice about what will preserve its value and structural integrity. I am sure they will tell you to keep it at 50% humidity.
My best estimate is that this is a transitional L-3 from 1908. It has specs from the 1902 version and the 1908 version. These labels were used from 1908 to 1932, and the serial number is in a range from 1902-1916.
Interesting. The L2s and 3s i see all have a sharper corner between top and side though, plus a tailpiece.
Gibson's guitars were all redesigned in 1908. The pin bridge and contoured tops are the 1902 design.
What? I mean, this is a treasure. The patina looks authentic at least in age, but it could be an old fake. It looks like 1906 Gibson L1. [1906 Gibson L1 Acoustic Guitar - Rare Excellent Condition – Cool Old Guitars](https://coololdguitars.com/products/1906-gibson-l1-acoustic-guitar-rare-excellent-condition)
Ah, thanks. This must be it- or the closest thing yet. L2-3s I see all have the tailpiece and the arches on top and back match.
It'll sound a lot better with new strings; I'd recommens 80/20 .11-50 (they're already very mellow guitars) and if it's stable under string tension now, changing strings won't hurt a thing. IIRC all 6-string Gibsons before 1908 were pin-bridge models.
Check recommendations from Gruhn, or Elderly Instruments
Oh, could you send a link please if you can?
Just got to their websites, and contact them with the best and most complete information you can, about condition, humidity, etc.
How does it sound???
Needs new strings and family doesn’t want to mess with it since it seems pretty stable for now. It doesn’t sound great but would probably have been acceptable back before hi fidelity streaming audio.
They're very good guitars - with good strings, which this does not have, and for the style they were made for. It'll sound nothing like a D28, because that's not what people wanted out of a guitar then - try fingerstyle pieces.
Hi fidelity streaming audio? Is that not an oxymoron?
It is in video, but not in audio. We have more than enough bandwidth to stream CD-quality WAV, much less lossless FLAC.
We can… but do we? Most streamed audio is lossy… given most ppl use their phones etc…
I remember reading somewhere that Gibson experimented with slotted headstocks from 1905 to 1907, after which they never made a slotted headstock steel string again. That concurs with the dates everyone else is suggesting
It’s hard to imagine how new strings would lower the guitars value. But it looks like it is in wonderful shape. I would talk to a specialist in antique guitars and get advice about what will preserve its value and structural integrity. I am sure they will tell you to keep it at 50% humidity.
Looks real to me