'52 Les Paul

[dwes]

Hey folks,

Have an opportunity to buy a '52 gold top. ...a few concerns about the guitar's authenticity. If anyone out there would be so kind, I'd like to know if you have seen/own/have photos of a head stock (FRONT) with an UN-dotted "i" in the G"i"bson logo.

I have access to a '53 and they're not totally jiving spec-wise.

PM me if you wish to remian off the web.

Thanks very kindly,

Dave

[paintguy]

you might do a search on www.gbase.com (http://www.gbase.com). I believe they have some vintage Paul's with lots of pix.

[rah3]

Good luck playing that upside down '52 bridge / tailpiece combo. I had the opportunity to buy one. Couldn't play it.

-RAH3

[dwes]

I appreciate your reply, paintguy.
I checked there. Gogled, etc, too. LP Forum as well.
If possible, I'd like a reference from a member who owns/has owned a '52/53 LP. Here's what I'm looking at...I know some of the early Deluxes did not have dotted "i"'s.
Thanks,
Dave
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52and53017.jpg

[dwes]

Good luck playing that upside down '52 bridge / tailpiece combo. I had the opportunity to buy one. Couldn't play it.

-RAH3

No problem here. Thanks for your help though.
Dave

[guitarman_1]

pm sent.

[ChrisB]

This link may help you also... http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html (http://www.provide.net/%7Ecfh/gibson.html)

[snarkle]

e-mail sent

[snarkle]

Having some trouble with your e-mail address...pm sent too.

[WordMan]

Get over to the Les Paul Forum - that's where the LP experts hang out. They can be snarky if they see stuff about a guitar that strikes them as inauthentic, but don't get defensive about it - its the nature of an online forum. If you ask in a thoughtful way, most of the folks will go way out of their way to be helpful...

[dwes]

Thanks to everyone for your input and assistance. It's greatly appreciated!
Dave

[WordMan]

This link may help you also... http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html


fwiw - the author of that website is one of the guys who hangs out at the LPF...

[scottlr]

I find the guys at TLP forum to be not much different than here. Very helpful as long as you are polite. It'd be more fun if there was as much posting as here, though. Same with the Fender forum. Much more activity here, and thus, more fun :)

[dwes]

Thanks everyone.

The LP forum had some very useful info.

I'm now looking for pics of the wiring in the cavities as this guitar has silver braided wiring that is surrounding orange wire/material as opposed to the black cloth I have seen in other cavity pics. I'll post the comparisons in a bit.

You all have been great!

Dave

[dwes]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52vs52010.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52vs52007.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52vs52015.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52vs52014.jpg

[WordMan]

Cool pics - just the type of thing for the Sherlock Holmes types at the LPF to get into.

"CSI Les Paul"

Hope they have good things to tell you!

[dwes]

I'm in the moderator's que to gain membership to the LP Forum. I don't know how long it will take - been about 20 hrs. so far...
Does anyone here have something else to offer? I know there are '52/'53 owners and prior owners. I would so greatly appreciate it!!!!
Thanks,
Dave

[shuie]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/dwes/52vs52010.jpg

Money shot! Pin router bite and ground wire channel have been identified. Thats a '52 body, for sure. There were no serial numbers on the '52s.

[dwes]

Thanks!
Still looking for pics and opinions.
Dave

[dwes]

After looking at as many pics as I could find, only one other '52 had the orange cloth. It looks identical to the one I posted.

If anyone else has pics or experiences to offer I'd be very appreciative. Thanks to everyone who chimed in!
Dave

[Ken Swanson]

Would the seller allow you to have the guitar authenticated by someone like Gruhn guitars, or some other vintage expert? Could be the only sure way to keep from any heartaches down the road. If the seller is genuine, he or she shouldn't have any problem with you doing that. Would be a little added expense, but might be worth it in the long run. Good luck with it.

[dwes]

Anybody else seeing the orange wiring?
Thanks!
I'll let this go now..
Dave

[snarkle]

Hey, Dave:

I just did some forensic guitarcheology, and the control-cavity picture you're showing looks absolutely right for anything but the very first 1952 goldtops. (The first ones had less wood removed from the top of the cavity and more from the bottom...in fact, on very early goldtops the bottom route goes straight across, with no "hump" in the middle.) Caps, pots, and wiring all spec out correct. But your headstock shot isn't like any 1952 Gibson I've ever seen...could this be a real ’52 that was re-necked circa 1969/70?

Maybe a full-body shot and a closeup of the back of the headstock would help...

[Jim S]

The Les Paul Forum (see subgroup Vintage Les Pauls) is your place. Those guys really know this stuff like the bible.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=78

[PaulE]

You may find some useful info here: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/