Who has the oldest guitars here?

[foo]

Track Rat - The Serial number should be on an aluminum plate which would make it a 1958 (possibly 57 or 59, but almost certainly 58 - the National records are not perfect).

It sounds like the model is a Stylist - pretty much the Les Paul layout, (two pick ups single cutaway, four knobs and the pick up selector where the Paul's are) but they didn't have a pickup in the bridge.
Hmmm - the plot thickens.

The Stylist had an asymetrical plate tailpiece, and asymetrical headstock (3 on a side, but longer on the treble side, I think) and block inlays.

If it has a lesser cutaway on the bass side as well as the treble side, it could be a Val-Tron Custom, but the Val-Trons had more knobs than a Les Paul.

Both these guitars came in black.
Take a look and let me know any further details.
Hope this helps.

foo

 

[Track Rat]

Almost sounds like a Valtron. The serial number is indeed on a aluminum plate on the back of the neck. It has a rosewood bridge, what looks to me like ebony finger board and block inlays. It also has six recessed pots that cvan only be adjusted with a small screw driver (diddle stick) just above the pickups and a transducer built into the bridge. This is a bad picture of it but it's the only one I have at this time. Thanks again sir.

 

[Vurt]

I've got a 1978 Ibanez Musician never used until I picked it up in 1998. My wife plays the flute and piano, and at one time thought she wanted to learn jazz guitar. Her mother worked at a music store, so she picked up the Ibanez at cost to them, but never played it. It sat in it's case for 20 years. It's the reason I started playing and recording in the first place. I don't know shit about guitars, but started realizing how wasted it is on me when friends who do kept asking to play it all the time.

 

[Torpid-x]

I'm the proud owner of the last Kramer American Stagemaster Custom II ever made by original Kramer , got it at the closing auction at the factory... too bad it's butt ugly pink/purple. and the serial numbers gone now, it was printed on a sticker stuck to the back of the head. oh well

 

[typi]

1972 Les Paul Deluxe Gold top.
1995 Les Paul Standard
2000 Fender Am Deluxe Fat Strat

 

[foo]

Okay Track Rat we have a winner!
IT's a very late 1958 (maybe v. early 1959) Val-Trol Custom or Baron. (Sorry about the typo [Val Tron] in my last post).

If it has large bolck inlays, it is a Baron. If it has a large block inlay enclosing a diamond, it is a Custom.

. . . and very nice, too!



foo

 

[Track Rat]

You, sir, are very cool! I definately appriciate your help.

 

[foo]

. . . and a further update - it would have to be a '59. They were only made in 59 and 60 but it has a 1958 serial number.

The way that happens is that the plates with the numbers are in a big box and as they need one they go grab one out of the box.

Your serial number plate just got picked outof the box in 1959 instead of in 1958 when it was put in the box.

Glad to help out.

foo