Hi Jim, hi all,
I don't want to annoy Bruce (Hi Bruce !) but:
It's not possible (for me..) that the Gibson acoustic guitar "banner headstock" seen during the film The Young Ones might be a J 30.
Why ?
During the 30's then 40's, the J 30 model did not exist at this time. (But you found, just before, the solution !)
The right (and only) original possible reference is J 35.
But anyway :
If it's true that the (top) finish of some of these J 35 model (mainly Sunburst) was "Blonde" (like a J 50) the main differences between a J 35 and a J 45 ( or J 50) are :
- During the 30's the peghead of the Gibson acoustic guitar (L0, L00, L2, L-C, Nick Lucas, Roy Smeck, and J 35 for exemple !) was cut "straight" on each side of the peghead (tuning keys side).
When the J 45 appears (and remplaces the J 35) in 1942, the edges of its peghead are cut "curved". Like any Gibson guitar made since.
Not easy to remark on a photo but first indice !
- On the J 35 models the pre war Gibson script (pre 1947 modernistic logo...) was inked in white.
On the J 45 (or J 50) this script is inked "Gold".
Not so easy to remark on a photo !!!
- Most interesting :
The shape of the pickguard is (cut) like a "tear drop" on a J 45 (or a J50).
The J-35 has a pickguard which follows the body contours
See photos above or these two links for:
- a J 35 1939 :
http://elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-13406.htm- and for a J 50 1949 :
http://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-j-50-1949-natural# At least and about the shape of the bridge.
During the 30's and the 40's the shape of the brigde is "rectangular".
Unfortunatly it remains "rectangular" from the 30's to 1950, when this rectangular bridge : on the J45 (or J 50) is remplaced by the "belly bridge".
So on this particular point, we can say that the acoustic guitar in the Bruce hands during the film The Young Ones has a "rectangular" bridge !
But no proof (this time...) for telling (sure) if it's a J 35 (blonde) or a J50...
For instance the (mainly) "proof", when you take a look (without glasses !) to the photo is the shape of the pickguard.
And a "teardrop" shape = a J 50...
And a Gibson J 50 model "banner headstock" (certainly 1946) is very (very !) rare to find...
Amitiés à tous
Patrice
Emmy Lou Harris.png
