Black bonnet knobs on a '61 Junior?

[27sauce]

I've got one coming with what appear to be original knobs. Did they start out this way, then go to reflectors? Anyone have a junior with stock bonnets? Serial/pot code range?
Thanks, guys!

 

[garywright]

I've never owned an early '61 junior but have seen several over the years that had them and were claimed to be a 100% stock guitar ..I personally think that they were and look great.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

A 1961 should have reflector knobs.

 

[garywright]

I've only seen them on very early '61s and only on a junior ...however, if tom is correct then the ones that I've seen have been swapped ...my guess would be Gbson used up the last of 'em on the juniors ..

 

[Tom Wittrock]

A 1961 should have reflector knobs.

I've only seen them on very early '61s and only on a junior ...however, if tom is correct then the ones that I've seen have been swapped ...my guess would be Gbson used up the last of 'em on the juniors ..

I was thinking of SG Les Paul Juniors.
I have seen a slab body, with a 61 ink number that had them.

 

[garywright]

I was thinking of SG Les Paul Juniors.

that's what I was referring too ...a few of the earliest '61 SG/LP juniors having black bonnet knobs

 

[GuitarMikey]

I agree. I have seen a couple early 61 SG LP Juniors with bonnet knobs that i believed to be original.

 

[Kris Ford]

Dig this..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...Early-SG-Jr-/111765935566?hash=item1a05c4d5ce
:hmm:hmm

 

[Arch D. Bunker]

If it gots a serial number under the 30,000 or so the bonnets, over that the reflectors.:salude

 

[richard henry]

I have a '61 doublecut junior with black bonnet knobs. :hmm 3 digit impressed serial, not ink stamped, but mine is a double cut Junior not the LP/SG Junior.

 

[27sauce]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Here are the knobs, and serial. Can you guys make out if the second number is a 5 or 6? Anyone have access to the shipping ledger for '61?

 

[garywright]

my guess is 26576

 

[Kris Ford]

Next step logically would be knob authentication..
Experts, are those legit?
How would one tell?

 

[garywright]

Next step logically would be knob authentication..
Experts, are those legit?
How would one tell?

what you're asking has already been addressed

 

[Kris Ford]

what you're asking has already been addressed

Right...
I know all that Gary, come on now..I mean are they REPRO?:jim

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Knobs look correct to me.

 

[garywright]

Right...
I know all that Gary, come on now..I mean are they REPRO?:jim

they look perfect to me and if Marc has a preference for a pair of original 60s reflectors over these, I can help out with that. :jim

 

[Kris Ford]

they look perfect to me and if Marc has a preference for a pair of original 60s reflectors over these, I can help out with that. :jim

OR,
If he doesn't, you can talk to me about those.la My '65 Junior could use a nicer pair.:salude

As far as the knobs, its ALWAYS worth a second look from an expert if at ALL in doubt. Some of the repro stuff looks scary good, and I wouldn't put it past someone to do such a thing..and perhaps try to add "value" by adding a rare feature..(not saying this is the case here..)I mean, these are valid concerns in today's vintage market.

 

[27sauce]

Well, at least 2 of them had black bonnets(the TV in the catalog does as well). Thanks guys!

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Nice to learn new things about the time line on parts.
Apparently the black knobs changed at a slightly later time than the gold ones.


As for the catalog picture ... I believe that is the 1962 catalog. It was common for Gibson to use old pictures, The 1958 catalog shows the Goldtop with P-90s, and also mentions the humbuckers in the text.