Unknown Gibson Flattop - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T10:31:57Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/unknown-gibson-flattop?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A138947&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe bridge is pinless, not bo…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-05:2177249:Comment:1389472014-11-05T04:00:27.280Zjbbancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JamesBBancroft
<p>The bridge is pinless, not bolted only glued. The individual saddles are basically a round metal plug inset into the bridge. The top of each saddle looks like a short fret, where the strings ride over.</p>
<p>Jim </p>
<p>The bridge is pinless, not bolted only glued. The individual saddles are basically a round metal plug inset into the bridge. The top of each saddle looks like a short fret, where the strings ride over.</p>
<p>Jim </p> Me too! I would like to see a…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-05:2177249:Comment:1390322014-11-05T00:48:05.235ZRETRORODhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RETROROD
<p>Me too! I would like to see a close-up pic. Are those individual string saddles? I have never seen a Gibson bridge 'quite' like that....despite seeing pics of several 70's abnormal bridge types. This indeed seems to be a mystery Gibson.</p>
<p>Me too! I would like to see a close-up pic. Are those individual string saddles? I have never seen a Gibson bridge 'quite' like that....despite seeing pics of several 70's abnormal bridge types. This indeed seems to be a mystery Gibson.</p> Tell me about the bridge. I'…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-04:2177249:Comment:1388712014-11-04T23:29:42.223ZRichard Baleshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RichardBales
<p>Tell me about the bridge. I'm not sure I've ever seen one like that.</p>
<p>Tell me about the bridge. I'm not sure I've ever seen one like that.</p> I think that Robbie's finding…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-03:2177249:Comment:1389452014-11-03T12:20:23.196ZRETRORODhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RETROROD
<p>I think that Robbie's findings may be correct about being a '78 ... I didn't detect that the serial # was 8 digits. Also, I found the J40 in a vintage price guide. Says it was built from '71 to '82.</p>
<p>Another theory is that it may have been a personal "employee-built" guitar explaining the J4 and lack of Gibson label.</p>
<p>Especially since the J40 is described as having mahogany B&S...a pic of the 'period'…</p>
<p>I think that Robbie's findings may be correct about being a '78 ... I didn't detect that the serial # was 8 digits. Also, I found the J40 in a vintage price guide. Says it was built from '71 to '82.</p>
<p>Another theory is that it may have been a personal "employee-built" guitar explaining the J4 and lack of Gibson label.</p>
<p>Especially since the J40 is described as having mahogany B&S...a pic of the 'period' label...</p>
<p>[URL=http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/retrorod53/media/IMG_1870_zps4f5a65fd.jpg.html][IMG]<a href="http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s573/retrorod53/IMG_1870_zps4f5a65fd.jpg" target="_blank">http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s573/retrorod53/IMG_1870_zps4f5a65fd.jpg</a>[/IMG][/URL]</p>
<p>Rod</p> Thanks for the info. so far.…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-02:2177249:Comment:1390202014-11-02T23:58:47.404Zjbbancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JamesBBancroft
<p>Thanks for the info. so far.</p>
<p>There is no label on the inside just the small red 3/4" round sticker with J-4 typed.</p>
<p>It is double X braced, with a bridge plate. Bridge is pinless.</p>
<p>The back and sides are maple, the back is arched with no back bracing.</p>
<p>The neck came off easily with steam. had to drill the steam holes deeper to go through the added extension under the fretboard.</p>
<p>Jim </p>
<p>Thanks for the info. so far.</p>
<p>There is no label on the inside just the small red 3/4" round sticker with J-4 typed.</p>
<p>It is double X braced, with a bridge plate. Bridge is pinless.</p>
<p>The back and sides are maple, the back is arched with no back bracing.</p>
<p>The neck came off easily with steam. had to drill the steam holes deeper to go through the added extension under the fretboard.</p>
<p>Jim </p> Hey jb, I am a bit of a Gibso…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-02:2177249:Comment:1389422014-11-02T22:08:27.672ZRETRORODhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RETROROD
<p>Hey jb, I am a bit of a Gibson historian and I will tell you what I know. I am not familiar with a J4 model but would suggest that it is a J40 built in 70-72 period. This is what most call the Norlin-era, in reference to the new acquisition of Gibson from CMI. This period is not a golden-era for Gibson because of all the "structural changes" that were brought on by the the newest "bean counters" There were several oddities produced during this period also.</p>
<p>A lot of changes were made…</p>
<p>Hey jb, I am a bit of a Gibson historian and I will tell you what I know. I am not familiar with a J4 model but would suggest that it is a J40 built in 70-72 period. This is what most call the Norlin-era, in reference to the new acquisition of Gibson from CMI. This period is not a golden-era for Gibson because of all the "structural changes" that were brought on by the the newest "bean counters" There were several oddities produced during this period also.</p>
<p>A lot of changes were made in the hopes of deterring warranty work in the future.....AND to save a few bucks in the manufacturing process. Some examples are neck volutes, double-X-braced tops and possibly the pinless bridge as this guitar appears to have. Is the back braceless and form-molded?.</p>
<p>I believe the dovetail joint on this guitar is what is known as a "paddle joint" and from what some say.....a real PIA to work on.</p>
<p>Is there not a label inside the guitar? I don,t have access to my reference books at this time so am going by memory.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. Would love to hear and see the progress and I am sure the more knowledgeable gurus will way in with "hands-on" experience!</p>
<p>Rod</p> Guitar Info
Your guitar was m…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-11-02:2177249:Comment:1388602014-11-02T21:58:46.630ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<h2>Guitar Info</h2>
<p><span id="ctl00_MainContentPlaceHolder_lblMessage">Your guitar was made at the <br/>Kalamazoo Plant, USA<br/>March 31st, 1978<br/>Production Number: 132</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span>from <a href="http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx</a></span></p>
<h2>Guitar Info</h2>
<p><span id="ctl00_MainContentPlaceHolder_lblMessage">Your guitar was made at the <br/>Kalamazoo Plant, USA<br/>March 31st, 1978<br/>Production Number: 132</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span>from <a href="http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx</a></span></p>