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#32001 by Shapeshifter
Tue May 20, 2008 10:39 pm
I've got a friend who runs a pawn shop, and recently took in a Gibson lap steel-looks to be a BR-4 (1947), but there are some slight variations. Anybody know any good sites that I can check out to verify the authenticity (and maybe get a grip on the value...)? :?

#32012 by Irish Anthony
Wed May 21, 2008 12:10 am
:? :? :? :? i wouldnt know where to start on that one joe....all i know is that most things that were built in the 1940s are just about ready to fall apart...if thay havent already fallin apart that is....

helpfull...not really....funny...who knows.


slain.

#32023 by Shapeshifter
Wed May 21, 2008 2:51 am
:lol: Yeah, this thing isn't in the best of shape! I have found a few similar models online, but the finish and the knobs are different. Thanks anyway, man.

#32032 by Paleopete
Wed May 21, 2008 12:11 pm
Don't know much about it firsthand, played what looked like a BR-6 a few weeks ago and wasn't too impressed, my Electromuse sounded lots better.

Did a bit of looking, found one Here going for $850, and some good clear pictures. Another Here, no price listed (already sold) but more good pics. Measurements listed too, that may help.

Also spotted another listed for $825 at Gryphon, no pictures.

So it's looking like it's value will be in the $800 range, in excellent condition, authenticating would be more difficult, the only sure way I know of would be to have an expert check it out. I'd say check the measurements and look for obvious signs of age, it's 60 years old and should show it, the only definite way would be to open it up and check the numbers on the pots, they usually are stamped with date codes. My Electromuse still has the original pots in it, the Gibson might too. Being a 1947, same age, it should have a rectangular capacitor inside that looks like a domino, with several colored dots to identify the capacitance.

Unfortunately my original cap was trashed when a bass player caught his foot in the cord and yanked it off the guitar stand while packing up second or third time I brought it onstage. I also had to replace the original cloth covered cord, it got yanked too and refused to work any more.

I'm not sure what else to look for, mainly obvious signs of age like yellowing clear coat, tarnish on tuner gears, yellowed tuner knobs, that kind of thing.

#32128 by Shapeshifter
Thu May 22, 2008 2:17 pm
Thanks, man. Yeah, I think we ended up about on the same page there. :D

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