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My next door neighbor just brought me a little gift that he found in the attic of his house in WV. The headstock is broken off, and I can't find any identification on the inside, so I have no idea who it was made by. I have very little hope that it's a 1930's Gibson, but my curiosity will kill me if I don't find out something about it. More info would help me decide if it's a restoration project, or just a guitar to hang out on the front of my garage as my guitar business shingle some day (yeah, right!).

Anyway, here it is. If the pics don't come through, I'll try again. Thanks for any info!

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

It's a 30's - 40's Gibson IMHO.

David Collins would know perhaps PM or email him.

The give away to me is the burst and where the black coloration is - classic Gibson.

Hesh,

WHOA, you just made my heart skip a beat.

No, seriously... do you really think it's a Gibson?

I won't get too excited yet, but wow, if it is...

I'll get in touch with David, and let you guys know what I find out.

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Ken buddy I most certainly could be wrong but David would know for sure.

I have been trying to find some pictures for you and this site is interesting http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson2.html

What makes me think that it may not be a Gibson now is the segmented F holes. Everything that I see on line does not have segmented F holes.

Gibson produced many guitars that were bastardized often containing features and parts of a number of differing models. This was true especially during the 30's - just like many individuals and companies they used what they had on hand toward a desired end. So there are lots of Gibsons out there that don't really fall into the exact specs of one known model or another.

Also notice the fret board markers - dots, not what we are seeing on examples on line.

Additionally Gibson produced guitars, spec guitars as private label offerings under other brand names. This might be one of these but nonetheless it may have been built by Gibson.

Let's hope so - this is exciting! I LOVE old Gibsons!!!

Ken,
Here is a guitar that has the same F-holes and position markers. It is on eBay at this link.

Might be a vintage Kay or Harmony Archtop.

Hope this helps

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Hesh & Chuck,

Thanks for all the info! Actually, after looking at the F-holes on that Kay, I think you've found the maker, Chuck.

I'll be looking into it more a bit later... Right now I'm stuck in front of the TV, flipping between the DNC and US Open Tennis

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

There's no way that's a Gibson. Looks typical of Kay, with the segmented F-holes, poplar neck, probably birch body. A low end model, sorry.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

May be a Kay but not a Gibson along with what Howard noted the heel profile is wrong

It looks pretty much like what was comming out of chicago in the 40s. National, Kay, Regal, Valco etc were all made in a manufacturing plant here in town. The names and F hole shapes were changed per whomever was placing the order. Gibson and Grestch did order from them too for thier catalog sales. I think part of the Gibson "recording king" guitars came from this factory too. Certainly low end guitars for places like Sears, JC Penny's, Lion Healy etc.

They are not a bad guitar and are getting somewhat "collectable" I guess. Clean examples are selling for $400-500 dollars. Ones in nead of repair sell for under $100.

Joe

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Joe

Thanks, guys. Sounds / looks like I'm back to square one, when my neighbor handed it to me, thinking 'Interesting... not worth much... probably a nice piece to hang on the wall out under the carport, just for conversation'.

And it's just as well. If it actually WERE a valuable guitar, then I'd feel obligated to do the right thing, lots of research, restoration, shipping it back and forth, spending lots of money on it, ya-da, ya-da. In truth, I'd rather just continue learning how to build new ones

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Regardless of what they are worth, old Kay, Harmony and other acoustic archtops are a blast to play. If you are looking to use it as a chance to learn repairs, it could be a restored to be a very playable instrument. I have repaired alot of these and even when they look like they have seen the ugly end of a dark alley, they are great for playing blues or acoustic jazz on...

Just a few words to encourage you to repair your guitar. I was given a similar one in even worse condition years ago--even the plywood of the top was partially delaminated. I looked at it for about five years, and then decided to use it as a learning experience. I did some politically incorrect things in the process, but I am not troubled by that. Made a new neck to the profile I wanted, relaminated the top, new wooden tailpiece and finger rest, etc. etc. Refinished it, too. It's a fun practice guitar. I practice music, and I practice building on it.
You might decide to just get yours playing again, and keep it as original as possible. Either way, it'll be fun to have the instrument playing again. I don't think you'll be sorry.