• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

1955 Les Paul Junior - Stamp on Top Edge of Headstock

1955Junior

New member
Joined
Jan 1, 2004
Messages
285
The recent thread regarding the 1955-1956 Les Paul Junior black serial numbers prompted me to post this question.

I have owned a 1955 Junior for many years, and purchased it from the original owner in Canada.

In the photo below, you can see the faint "MADE IN THE USA" stamp above the serial number - something that Gibson did from the late 1920s thru the 1950s on guitars slated for export outside of the United States.

One thing I've often wondered - - what is the significance of the impressed letter/number code (H 499) on the top edge of the headstock?

Was this done at the factory?

Could it be an inventory number that was applied by the music store?

Have any of you ever seen an impressed letter/number code like this on other Gibson guitars?

Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks,

IMG_0633.jpg
 
Y

yeti

Guest
Yeah, my friend bought a 52 Goldtop in 1984 and it has a number that shouldn't be there. I mentioned it in an earlier thread but nobody had any real clues as to it's origin.
Here's a pic
l_a93090f49f7c000949a0ca2bfd7d01ae.jpg
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
The recent thread regarding the 1955-1956 Les Paul Junior black serial numbers prompted me to post this question.

I have owned a 1955 Junior for many years, and purchased it from the original owner in Canada.

In the photo below, you can see the faint "MADE IN THE USA" stamp above the serial number - something that Gibson did from the late 1920s thru the 1950s on guitars slated for export outside of the United States.

One thing I've often wondered - - what is the significance of the impressed letter/number code (H 499) on the top edge of the headstock?

Was this done at the factory?

Could it be an inventory number that was applied by the music store?

Have any of you ever seen an impressed letter/number code like this on other Gibson guitars?

Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks,

IMG_0633.jpg

I doubt that left the factory that way.
Perhaps someone [like the military] marked them after purchase.
 

MapleFlame

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
14,044
See the USA just abouve the ink stamp. I think this was a dealer run or order.
 

mingus

Active member
Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
4,243
It's fairly common to see "made in USA" stamped on American made guitars of this era that were originally exported. I currently have a '55 Martin D-28 with the same stamp on back of the headstock that went to Canada.

I think Tom is correct that the other stamp on the edge may have been some sort of inventory number, possibly for the military (or maybe a college/university).
 

retrobob

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2002
Messages
735
I could swear I have seen that guitar somewhere! And maybe have even played it. :hmm
 

thegreengod

New member
Joined
May 30, 2016
Messages
2
The recent thread regarding the 1955-1956 Les Paul Junior black serial numbers prompted me to post this question.

I have owned a 1955 Junior for many years, and purchased it from the original owner in Canada.

In the photo below, you can see the faint "MADE IN THE USA" stamp above the serial number - something that Gibson did from the late 1920s thru the 1950s on guitars slated for export outside of the United States.

One thing I've often wondered - - what is the significance of the impressed letter/number code (H 499) on the top edge of the headstock?

Was this done at the factory?

Could it be an inventory number that was applied by the music store?

Have any of you ever seen an impressed letter/number code like this on other Gibson guitars?

Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks,

IMG_0633.jpg

Can you tell us more about the guitar's history and observations of its tone from playing it all these years. Love hearing stories of old LP Jrs. Thanks :yah
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
Can you tell us more about the guitar's history and observations of its tone from playing it all these years. Love hearing stories of old LP Jrs. Thanks :yah

Do you realize that post is almost 5 years old? :ganz
 

RSVG&A

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2015
Messages
77
I had a 1951 J200 for many years that had an impression stamp on the top of the headstock. Was told it went back to the factory in early '53 for some neck work so its possible its a repair serial.
IMG_8577_zps5f75e174.jpg
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Whatever any significance the number may have, they did at least 499 like that.
 

abalonevintage

Active member
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
3,186
Whatever any significance the number may have, they did at least 499 like that.

I think that's a stamp for military personnel. I think the number could have been used on anything...guitars, golf clubs, stereos.

This guitar was used by a service member IN Korea.

1951_Gibson_J45_acoustic_Guitar_HSB_2.jpg


1951_Gibson_J45_acoustic_Guitar_Case_2.jpg
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
I think that's a stamp for military personnel. I think the number could have been used on anything...guitars, golf clubs, stereos.

This guitar was used by a service member IN Korea.

1951_Gibson_J45_acoustic_Guitar_HSB_2.jpg


1951_Gibson_J45_acoustic_Guitar_Case_2.jpg

I think you're correct about your supplied photos. Former USAF here.........the convention followed for the numbering of that guitar is: (1) the initial of the service member's last name; (2) followed by the last four digits of his/her social security number.

We marked many of our possessions following that convention at Basic Military Training.

However, the guitar photo provided by the OP does not follow the military numbering convention that I'm aware of. H499 does not follow the convention.
 

Wally

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
3,535
^^^^^ That "R 3577" was a personal stamp used by a member of the military to identify personal items....from uniforms to guitars..whatever.
AS for that Canadian Gibson....that is another matter, but one would think that it is an I.D. number that was applied for some reason...oh yeah...for identification. LOL....
And this thread is 6 1/2 years old. Fwiw, I believe that that number was stamped sometime later in the guitar's life because it looks too fresh to have been old at the time of the photo. The rest of the 'disturbed' lacquer shows a darker color due to the influence of oils and dirt than does the stamped lacquer.
 
Top