Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?

Subject: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:01 PM

Found this in an antique store, today, and while I don't knwo that much about guitars, I have seen quite a few and I've never seen anything quite like this.

The pix are fuzzy, sorry, but I will describe it, too. It is a Gibson, but is small, about the length of a baritone uke, but not as wide. At the top where it says, "Gibson" it also had some sort of slogan (I was in a hurry as they were closing, so I didn't get to jot it down.) I think it said, "Everything's better with a Gibson" or some such.

What was even weirder was it had knobs with a plate, so I figured it must be some kind of built in pickup?

Anyway, if I've sparked your curiosity, please have a look and tell me what in the haitch it is and if you think it is worth anything: Baby Gibson?

I can get more info tomorrow, after they open. If anyone is interested, I also have a picture of a "violin uke" they have with the orginal label inside saying it was $35 when brand-new and that it is a "violin uke." There is a rough shape case and falling apart music with it. Let me know and I'll put the picture up, if you are interested.

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:09 PM

Looks like some sort of lap-top steel, kat. Could the peghead have read "Only a Gibson is Good Enough"?

f

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:16 PM

YES! That's what it said, I am sure of it. So, is it worth anything? Thanks!

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Bobert
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:20 PM

Six strings or four?

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: bigchuck
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:30 PM

Kat, I think Guest has it tabbed. It's definitely an old lap steel, the "only a Gibson is......" slogan was generally used during WWII (1943-45), according to George Gruhn's Vintage Guitar Guide. Could have been one of several models that were made at the time, likely an EH-275, or EH-185, if that is a Charlie Christian pick-up as it appears to be.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:32 PM

I don't know, kat but I expect some of the resident guitar junkies will be chiming in before long. BTW, I'd like to know how much they're asking for it and obtaining the serial # might be helpful which you may find stamped on the back of the peghead.

f

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:33 PM

6 strings. Thanks, Sandy. Any idea what something like that might be worth?

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: bigchuck
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:33 PM

Might be worth $300-$400, maybe more to the right person. These were pretty good steels.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:40 PM

Sorry, frankie, we cross-posted. I will call tomorrow and see if they can get a number for me. They want $200.00 for it. It's not that I want it, or would play it, but I'd buy it to resell, or buy for a Mudcatter who might want it and is willing to send the money and cover s&h.:-)

Thanks, Sandy!

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: 53
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:41 PM

i've never seen one of those before, you should jump on that. BOB

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:44 PM

Thanks, Bob, I may just!

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:06 PM

Offer him less....Sandy has it nailed though. Negotiate....what's to lose?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:48 PM

I'm certainly no expert, but the one in the fuzzy picture will probably be worth what they are asking--if everything is working on it. The 'Charlie Christian' pickup on it is worth a bit in it's own right if it is operational. Here's a blurb for a later Gibson EH-150:

From Buffalo Bros.: used Gibson EH-150 Lap Steel: (VG) Nice sunburst 6-string lapsteel with original hardcase. More info to follow ~ we just got this one in! $699. Stock #ULC4404

pictures of EH-150 Elderly Instruments: Lap Steels

Yup, negotiate. But check the goods for operation.

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:53 PM

Rolfyboy and Spaw, thanks, esp. for the pix. The one I saw isn't that clean or pretty, but might be with a good clean-up. The pickup is also smalled, but then it's probably a different model, maybe the one Sandy mentioned.

I wouldn't know how to tell if the pickup is working, as there is no amp with it. I think it's missing a couple of strings, too. It is at an antique mall and the woman who owns the palce showed it to me. She said the guy who is selling it has no idea what it is nor did she.

I'll call tomorrow and at least ask them about a model number, etc. and get back to you guys. Sorry the pix weren't clearer.

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 12:29 AM

Hi kat. Been techin' all night or I would have jumped in with both feet! Mudcatters have nailed it though!

Models such as that go for as little as 200 Candian on up to 4 or 500. They're OK instruments, but they're not particulary uncommon. A National or Rickenbacker often fetches more. Chances are the pick up DOES work, but budget for a pretty throrough cleaning of pots etc.

Generally the prices are all over the map depending on where you live. In an area where every store has at least a couple of vintage lap steels, they're quite cheap, but some sellers will try to get a fair buck for the Gibson 'name' period. Now if you find a silver steel National.....

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 12:39 AM

I'll keep my eyes peeled, jest fer you, Rickdarlin'. Thanks, very much!

Since i don't know much about cleaning pots, won't be playing it, and am not sure of the pickup working, I think I'll pass unless some Mudcatter wants it, then I'll see if we can get a better price. Thanks, everyone. I will still post the model number, tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 02:12 PM

I don't know what model it is, I'm looking. But the pickup is not a Charlie Christian, they are black with a beige trim. (I have one in one of my teles) and if you look here: Click here

You'll see what the Charlie Christian looks like. But I'm curious about the model

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:09 PM

Katlaughing, Here is the best info available

click here

I can't identify the guitar. It could be a late 1936 EH100 except for the diamond(?) inlay, they ought to be dots. The body is unbound and the fingerboard has a square end, however, the pickup does not look like the white, blade type used on this model (though I may have been wrong above and it is a kind of Charlie Christian

So what is it? That doesn't appear to be a metal fingerboard, and there's no fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, so it isn't an EH125. It can't be an EH150, the finger board is not V ended. It's obviously not a Roy Smeck. I don't know. Fun trying to guess though, Kat. I'll wager it's a 1936 EH 100 thats had some alteration, including the pickup and the bridge cover. Let me know if you find out. Is it collectable, valuable? I doubt it. Regards, Fortunato

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Jim Krause
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:19 PM

Shoot, Kat buy the thing yerself and learn to play those old honky tonk country hits from the forties. Those tunes were good then, they ought to get a bar crowd dancing now.
Jim

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:25 PM

Uh, oh. It wasn't supposed to look like that...sorry, the link works however.

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:29 PM

HeyaChance, thanks for the links. I called the store and the lady there couldn't find any model number anywhere, not inside, nor on the back. I may go look at it, again, and see if my younger eyes are more keen than her's, though.:-)

I don't think it is the EH100, unless, as you say, it's been modified. For one the knobs are on either side of the pickup on this one, whereas on the EH100 I noticed they are on one side. Also the plate looks like metal, I didn't see any kind of plastic on this guitar.

Of course the antique lady, who doesn't own it, but wants to promote her renter's business, had a story, She said there was a musician from Ohio who came in and looked at it (Spaw was that you? I'll ring your neck if it was...not calling when you're in town!*BG*)and HE said it was really old and worth a lot, of course! Hahaha!

Thanks, glad to have brought some entertainment to the scene. Please continue to check back as we update frequently! *Big Smile*

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:30 PM

Uh, oh. It wasn't supposed to look like that...sorry, the link works however.

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:38 PM

Kat, the late 1936 EH 100 had knobs on either side of pickup. If its a metal finger board it COULD be a 1940, the fancier inlay leads me in that direction. The body is unbound. There was no plastic on the EH100 it hadn't been invented in 1936, had it?

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 05:19 PM

Hi kat, if you do extract a serial# from it you can send it to www.gibson.com/relations/serial.html or call 1-800- 4GIBSON. According to the Gibson site though, some models built from the 20's through the 40's didn't have #'s. Good luck, f

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: CraigS
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:54 PM

Looks like a 40s EH100 or EH125 thats been fitted with a small (Epiphone) humbucker. Value will be diminished because the pickup is non-original - from $500 to around $300. Serial number is probably rubber-stamped in the pickup cavity if not visible on the back of the head. The real expert on this subject is David Lindley. Anybody know how to ask him?

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 07:30 PM

Great to see this Kat ! I bet it would sound great with new strings .I hope someone fixs this thing up. All the best , GUy
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Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From:
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 08:06 AM

It's a lapsteal. Like pedal steele only witrhoput peddles. Played with a slide.

Subject: RE: Help: What Kind of Gibson is THIS?
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 08:59 AM

Vytryena, We know it's a lap steel, we're trying to get the model number and year. I agree with Craig the pickup has been swapped out. I have a Fender lap steel from '52 and the pickup was replaced at one point, a common occurance with people who actually played them to cut down on noise. I still say it's an EH100, the 125s had a fleur-de-lis peghead inlay, which the pictured guitar does not.