1953-1956 Goldtops - What to Look For?

pjisaacs · Sep 3, 2018

So I'm starting to view the above, with a view to buying. Apart from the normal black light and looking for breaks, anything I particular people would advise me to look out for?

Thanks in advance!

sws1 · Sep 3, 2018

pjisaacs said:
So I'm starting to view the above, with a view to buying. Apart from the normal black light and looking for breaks, anything I particular people would advise me to look out for?

Thanks in advance!

Look for an experienced expert to evaluate the guitar with you, in person.

pjisaacs · Sep 3, 2018

Thanks and good advice, not always easy to find!

i have a number of vintage Gibson’s already (53 conversion, 60 junior, 62 special, 64 SG, 65 J45, 67 Es-330, 72 Custom) so this won’t be my firsr

sidekick · Sep 3, 2018

Early period '53/'54 studs were the shorter length. Fixable, but look for wrapover 'lean'. The later style wrap/longer studs arguably preferable than the 'thin-ear' 3/16" wrap, (imo). But if you change a '53/early '54 studs/bushings will lose 'originality'. On the other hand, the early wrap '53's had a better bridge pickup height ratio to the strings before when the neck angle had less angle.

Doubtless, others will chime in, but that was my experience.

pjisaacs · Sep 3, 2018

Thanks - one thing I’m not sure of and I feel I really should know by now, is the ‘i’ on the Gibson logo an absolute, in terms of dating?

latestarter · Sep 4, 2018

53-56 covers a lot of ground, and each iteration of the development in that period could fill a few posts. Got a year/version in mind?

pjisaacs · Sep 4, 2018

Thanks fair point.

Favourite would be a late 53 to early 55 (wrap over tail piece)
Second place 53 with trapeze tail

I think the Tune-o-matic will likely be out of my budget, I want to avoid repaired breaks for example

Black58 · Sep 4, 2018

Tall or short control knobs?

latestarter · Sep 4, 2018

Black58 said:
Tall or short control knobs?

Those shorter knobs really kill off the top end toanz.

OP, I would be looking for the things others have mentioned around leaning studs. Not a major as they can be fixed relatively easily. I’ve seen models with the longer inserts still lean too.

I would try and play any guitar you’re seriously considering...hard to do in this day of online purchases. Neck shape can be quite different. The ‘54 thats local to me has a big neck with a V shape...I like it, others don’t.

Do your homework on pickups, pots, tuners and wrap tails. When I get home I’ll post some shots of this local ‘54...it’s all original and a good reference.

pjisaacs · Sep 4, 2018

latestarter said:
Those shorter knobs really kill off the top end toanz.

OP, I would be looking for the things others have mentioned around leaning studs. Not a major as they can be fixed relatively easily. I’ve seen models with the longer inserts still lean too.

I would try and play any guitar you’re seriously considering...hard to do in this day of online purchases. Neck shape can be quite different. The ‘54 thats local to me has a big neck with a V shape...I like it, others don’t.

Do your homework on pickups, pots, tuners and wrap tails. When I get home I’ll post some shots of this local ‘54...it’s all original and a good reference.

Thanks very much - that's what I'm doing, and I have a 53 conversion to check inlays against - which should help

Tom Wittrock · Sep 5, 2018

pjisaacs said:
Favourite would be a late 53 to early 55 (wrap over tail piece)
Second place 53 with trapeze tail

Black58 said:
Tall or short control knobs?

I believe those are all short knob versions. :hmm

1953-1956 Goldtops - What to Look For?

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