Whether you are looking for a fender guitar value, a gibson guitar value or a. The 1969 fender lovin care catalog consisted of 48 pages of electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, steel guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos and keyboards. I dont have a problem with keeping my cell phone put away during workbut, and this is a big onewe were told that in case of emergencies family members could call gibson. We are the trusted guitar price guide for providing guitar blue book values. The gibson les paul is a true guitar icon that has continually made its mark upon the landscape of music for over 60 years. Much of the hummingbirds appeal lies in its versatility. Gibson and slash are proud to present the new slash collection of signature guitars. The gibson l series is a series of smallbody guitars produced and sold by gibson guitar corporation in the early 20th century.
Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars. The following websites act as a guitar blue book online. It also has guitar reference information and values on over 900 guitar manufacturersdistributors including gibson, martin, ovation, taylor, alvarez, epiphone. Orvilles guitars were often made of the wood from old furniture, to get the tonal quality of aged wood. Corporation produced acoustic instruments in kalamazoo. Gibson electric serialization taken from the 11th edition blue book of electric guitars by zachary r. Read about guitar history and find out how much your guitar is worth at the reverb price guide. With the advent of the firebird, gibson offered ten new custom colors and a pretty chart that displayed them. The first guitars of this series, gibson l0 and gibson l1, were introduced first as archtops 1902, and later as flat tops in 1926. Unfollow gibson guitar book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Gibson is a wellknown musical instrument company in the united states, with origins dating back to the 1890s. The lineup includes alltime favorites, modern updates on popular models and much more. I have found this service to be accurate and extremely useful. They are known for their acoustic and electric stringed instruments, primarily in guitars and mandolins. The shenandoah series guitars were considered a midrange model priced between the sigma series and higher end martins. Vintage guitars info gibson custom color finishes on. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson. Like the previous catalog, this featured the company s guitars in a variety of interesting settings around california, from the whiskeyagogo, to the hollywood bowl. Like the previous catalog, this featured the company s guitars in a variety of interesting settings around california, from the whiskeya. The les paul standard returns to the classic design that made it. Use the blue book of electric guitars, available for free at gibson s website, to date your instrument if it has a different type of serial number. I ask two experts how they got here and where they are headed.
Unique color photographs highlight a multitude of luscious les paul models, including famous instruments owned by influential players. Discover the old gibson guitar factory in kalamazoo, michigan. The gibson es335 is the worlds first commercial semihollowbody electric guitar, sometimes known as thinline hollowbody or semiacoustic. Product registration customer service repair and restoration report counterfeits serial number faq gibson guitar specs 20152019 our brands epiphone kramer steinberger krk cerwin vega stanton dj.
The gibson electric guitar book is a comprehensive, richly illustrated guide to gibson electrics past and present. Archived pdf from the original on february 7, 2015. New 14th editions of blue book of acoustic guitars and blue book. This book examines the original collaboration between the traditional gibson company and the brilliant musician les paul, and the resulting classic guitars. Simply put, a gibson acoustic guitar is a work of art.
The l series was later gradually replaced by the lg series in the 1940s. The vast majority of the budget brands were made during the great depression. If you want a completely accurate evaluation of your gibson, my advice would be to go to the experts at blue book of guitar values. How to find the value of a gibson acoustic guitar our. Available from 1983 1993, they were assembled in nazareth, pennsylvania from imported parts. The name gibson has been synonymous with top of the line guitars for over a hundred years. The world of popular music would be a lot different if it wasnt for gibson. Next to it is the ugliest pre1970 gibson knob, known as the amp knob, used from late 1966 to the mid1970s but not on all models. Released by the gibson guitar corporation as part of its es electric spanish series in 1958, it is neither fully hollow nor fully solid.
Acoustic guitars deliver sound without electronic amplification and through the body of the instrument. Musical instruments blue book used musical instruments product. Blue book of acoustic guitars sixth edition vintage hifi. Orville also pioneered the use of the arch top in guitar and mandolin design, taking inspiration from that of fine violins and cellos. Blue book of acoustic guitars sixth edition gibson acoustic and acousticelectric guitars edited by s. The company was formerly known as gibson guitar corporation and renamed gibson brands, inc. A gibson color like golden mist is strictly identical to fenders shoreline gold while pelham blue is cadillacs 1960 successor to the lake placid blue used by fender beginning in 57. To a lesser extent, gibson also makes banjos, dobro resonator guitars, electronics, and basses. The company behind used price works in conjunction with orion bluebook, which makes this the largest website dedicated to pricing used musical instruments. When appraising your guitar, the first place to begin is the average market value of the guitar. This ultimate reference guide includes guitar reference information and values on over 1,200 guitar manufacturers and distributors including gibson, fender, paul reed smith, epiphone, gretsch, guild, ibanez, dean.
Currently, i have a 1966 tokai hummingbird in navy blue, a 1967 tokai hummingbird in cream, a 1968 yamaha sg v with the samurai headstock inlets call it lake placid blue for lack of an accurate name, a 1966 teisco spectrum v in blue, and one bizzaro from the 80s, a 1985 fender performer in pearl white. This includes electric and acoustic guitars, as well as bass guitars, amplifiers, and other guitar peripherals. The gibson guitar corporation in nashville, tennessee, was founded in 1902. Gibson les paul traditional pro v flame top electric guitar. Guitarists around the world have a les paul as their instrument of choice youll see it gracing stages everywhere and you can hear its voice on countless recordings. Blue book of electric and acoustic guitars guitars. Shipping is always free and returns are accepted at any location. With the rise of imported guitars during the 70s and 80s, the new management team at gibson decided to use the oftneglected epiphone brand for. The orion blue book online will help you determine how much nearly anything that you own is worth, including guitars. Fjestad the bible for the used electric and acoustic guitar aficionadoin two volumes and now in their th editions bluebook publications, inc. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows. Gibson is a manufacturer of acoustic guitars, and the vintage models produced by gibson are widely sought for their tone, action, look, and durability. Welcome to the reverb price guide, the ultimate resource for music gear pricing and information.
Use the blue book of electric guitars, available for free at gibsons website, to date your instrument if it has a different type of serial number. Can anyone guide me to a site where i can check the current value of some vintage gibson guitars. In 1977, gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at gibson usa, gibson acoustic, and the gibson custom facility in memphis, tn. Its amazing to think that right now at this very moment, someone is learning their first chords on a. Orville also pioneered the use of the arch top in guitar and mandolin design, taking inspiration from. Vintage king free shipping on all us orders shop now sell. Product registration customer service repair and restoration report counterfeits serial number faq gibson guitar specs 20152019 our brands epiphone kramer steinberger krk.
Gibson made the first electric guitar in 1935 and has pioneered famous guitars such as the les paul, the flying v, the explorer, the firebird, and sg. Discover the timeless perfection of these electrics, acoustics and basses. Gibson guitars have been played by rock n roll and blues legends that include jimmy page and b. Fjestad1952 1960 solidbodieswhen gibson start the production of solidbody guitars in 1952, a new serial number system was developed. Over the years, gibson has gone through several different serialnumber changes, sometimes resulting in multiple guitars with the same number. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. From 1926 through 1970, gibson guitars made over 40 different brands and over 300 different models of instruments that didnt carry the gibson name. Does anyone have any great resource tips for publications i can purchase on blue book values for mandolins and acoustic guitars. Gibson was founded back in 1902 and has been creating. The 59 oldsmobile colors were widely used by gibson, as seen in these charts listing silver mist, polaris white, frost blue, cardinal red and golden. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Electric guitar acoustic guitar guitar amplifier bass guitar effects all types. Nov 08, 2018 tune in as we talk about the backstory on how gibson got into the jam they are in, with insight from a former gibson factory worker.
These price ranges utilize a combination of expert research, external market data, and realtime reverb transactions to estimate the current value of items in used but original condition. Finding the value in a gibson acoustic guitar can be done in a number of common sense ways. Starting with the es150 generally acknowledged as the first commercially successful electric guitar through the 335s, les pauls, sgs, firebirds, and more, it is packed with facts, stories, and images that tell the story of gibsons great guitars and their most famous and. Inspired by slash, built by gibson, and now, played by you. Shenandoah series guitars included tortoisestyle pickguards and the martin thinline pickup as standard features. No matter how you attack this flattop, it pumps out rich, deep tones, and is equally at home strumming firstposition chords as it is taking the spotlight for picking lead lines. Although developed for and seen most often on the firebird series from 1963 to 1969, basically all gibson guitars were available in these colors.
Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. These guitars have a relatively smaller body than the. Take 15% off select inventory start the summer with fresh gear shop now sell. The kalamazoo factory has 100 years of instrumentmaking, and one big wartime secret. These models represent electric and acoustic guitars slash has played before millions of fans during his career and influenced multiple generations of players around the world. Major trademarks including fender, gibson, martin, paul reed smith, ibanez, yamaha, ovation, taylor, alvarez, epiphone, takamine, washburn. Find the latest selection of gibson instore or online at nordstrom. Instruments previously produced in kalamazoo, michigan from 1896 to 1901.
This model features an ink stamped serial number with no made in usa just as we used on the. The blue book of electric guitars, 11th edition is now expanded to 1,168 pages including the 16page color photo grading system. Its spacious mahogany body and sweet, select sitka spruce top are more than. Because gibson generally produces expensive guitars, the company has wisely offered budget lines of instruments through the years, including the kalamazoo, recording king, and cromwell brands. The gibson mandolinguitar manufacturing company, limited which evolved into the gibson guitar corporation produced instruments in kalamazoo, michigan from 1902 to 1984. The fall and rise of gibson guitars from a former employee. Nov 19, 20 currently, i have a 1966 tokai hummingbird in navy blue, a 1967 tokai hummingbird in cream, a 1968 yamaha sg v with the samurai headstock inlets call it lake placid blue for lack of an accurate name, a 1966 teisco spectrum v in blue, and one bizzaro from the 80s, a 1985 fender performer in pearl white. From here, you can make additions or subtractions to the value based on damages, imperfections, and aftermarket additions to the instrument. Gibson custom colors in the 1960s vintage guitar magazine. How to find the value of a gibson acoustic guitar our pastimes. Another great resource is vintage guitar magazines price guide, which is regularly updated and available at amazon.
You can also consult the blue book of guitar values to see what it is worth. Mandolinguitar manufacturing company, limited which evolved into the gibson guitar. From 19751977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. Gibson epiphone relastionship the gibson lounge gibson. Oct 18, 2011 because gibson generally produces expensive guitars, the company has wisely offered budget lines of instruments through the years, including the kalamazoo, recording king, and cromwell brands.
The exclusive run les paul standard 50s aaa top guitar pays tribute to gibsons golden era of innovation and brings authenticity back to life. Tune in as we talk about the backstory on how gibson got into the jam they are in, with insight from a former gibson factory worker. How to date gibson guitars using serial numbers our pastimes. The blue book of acoustic guitars and blue book of electric guitars are the two leading reference and value guides in the guitar industry, along with the blue. Anyone that has ever owned a gibson acoustic guitar would agree they are in a class of their own when it comes to quality, construction and sound. Also the kelly blue book for guitars helps for those who want to dig deep.