Help Identifying a Goya Classical Guitar ... Pre 60's! in Classical Gas Forum

0 Points

Forum Jump

Help Identifying a Goya Classical Guitar ... Pre 60's!

Author	Comment
TBodzTerryB	Help Identifying a Goya Classical Guitar ... Pre 60's!	Lead	[-]
(06/07/10 9:02 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hello Everybody, Just returned home from vacation at my Father's in Southern California and he gave me a very old Goya to Restore & Clean up. He had it before he left for the Vietnam War and it still has the Model# and Serial# inside of it. Any idea where I can find that information available or somebody that knows these pretty well to possible estimate when it might be from? Any information is very much appreciated... Thank you! Terry
PracticeecitcarP		#1	[-]
(06/08/10 4:49 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Look at this link. What is the SN? How about a photo of the inside label? Photo of the back? I like the pickguard. Richard
TBodzTerryB	Thank you So Much!	#2	[-]
(06/08/10 7:29 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	WOW! Thank you very much for the link ...... I'm Shocked! Older than we thought! The Model is a G-10 and the Serial# is: 116114 That makes it a 1939 Goya..... Amazing! I too like the pickguard, it's different. Thanks again! Terry By the way, here's a picture of the label inside:
MikeHalloran		#3	[-]
(06/08/10 8:02 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	>That makes it a 1939 Goya....< No. There ain't no such thing. Goya first appeared in the early 1950s. Goya and Levin numbers were the same through early 1961. At some point, they changed. Having a zone instead of a zip code on the label puts this between mid 1961 to 1963. No one is really sure when the label changed to a zip code but most agree that it happened by 1964. That the new Goya numbers were 6 digit confuse a lot of people. There is no record that I know of the post Levin numbers. The zone 10 narrows it to a two year period - that's more accurate than dating a '60s Gibson. Zip codes first appeared in 1962 and were mandatory by 1964. Lubricate the tuners before you do anything to this. 3-in-1, TriFlo or light sewing machine oil are all good. These old Kolbs are fragile and can fill your lap with metal dust if they get dry - I have seen it happen. Fortunately, if they are ruined, inexpensive replacements are easy to find - but why go there if you don't have to? Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics... Last Edited By: MikeHalloran 06/08/10 8:08 AM. Edited 1 times.
omeagerman		#4	[-]
(06/08/10 10:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	http://goyaguitars.tripod.com/goya_g10_insert_1958.htm
MikeHalloran		#5	[-]
(06/08/10 11:57 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The '58 catalog is wrong on the back/side wood. The G-10 is figured birch, not maple as are a lot of Gibsons before the 1930s. I believe that it is a catalog mistake as the G-10 in the picture is birch. Plain maple and birch are sometimes hard to tell apart but the flame patterns are completely different. I have not seen that pickguard before. Maybe Magnus can weigh in on its originality. Most G-10s do not have a pickguard. Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics...
TBodzTerryB		#6	[-]
(06/08/10 7:13 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thank you for the info and help guys ... very much appreciated. I thought that was a little too old and was shocked to see that the list on the link provided began with 1900 as the 1st serial#'s / dates. I sent an email to the address posted on the web site with pictures. I didn't receive a response from him yet. I did speak with my Father this evening, he said that he bought it Brand New in Los Angeles / Downtown with that pickguard. Should prove to be authentic.... Looking forward to more info ..... for now I'll consider it to be a 1961 or 63 I guess. Thanks again! Terry
PracticeecitcarP		#7	[-]
(06/08/10 7:28 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Terry, The link I provided explains the serial numbers (that you misunderstood as showing your Goya being pre-war). Looking at your label, it does not say "Made by A.B. Herman Carlson Levin, Gothenburg, Sweden." I was just passing on some info to you about Goya. The text above those serial numbers says: Goya acoustic guitars were hand made in Sweden by the Levin Company from the early 1950s to the mid 1970s. I have only been able to verify 1955 as the earliest confirmed starting year based on label and serial number information someone sent me. The Goya guitar brand definitely did not occur before 1952. I'm still doing research in this area. See my "Inside Story" and "Goya Information" pages for more details on the history of Goya guitars. Remember, you can only use this serial numbers list if you have a Levin brand acoustic guitar or if your Goya brand acoustic guitar's inside label says, "Made by A.B. Herman Carlson Levin, Gothenburg, Sweden."
MikeHalloran		#8	[-]
(06/08/10 8:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This guitar was made by Levin but does not have a Levin serial number. Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics...
MagnusHultin		#9	[-]
(07/02/10 4:31 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The best source of information for Goya and Levin is without doubt the Levin pages at homepage of Vintage Guitars in Stockholm. http://www.vintage-guitars.se/Levin_info.htm Rikard Magnevil has done a great job in documenting all types of Goya labels he has come across, which includes all of my Goya instruments. Follow this link for a very good mapping of Goya serial numbers for all relevant periods in time: http://www.vintage-guitars.se/Goya_serial_numbers.htm I would say number 116114 can be dated to 1962 with pretty good confidence. The information I have is that zip codes were itroduced in NY in july 1963, which fits well to this. I have never ever come across such a pickguard on a Levin or Goya instrument, and the G-10 also did not come with a pickguard. My guess is it has been added after delivery from the factory in Gothenburg. Regarding maple vs. birch, I ave never seen or heard of any G-10:s with maple bodies but that doesn´t mean they don´t exist. Mike, a bit off topic to this thread, but I thought You might be interrested to see a picture I ran across on internet the other day. We have discussed in the past the Goya model used in the sound of Music movie, which is often said to be a G-13 matte finish. I was told 2 years ago by Goran Levin that it was in fact an F-19, big bodied steelstring guitar. The F-19 was gloss finish but this one was matted on special request from the film company. Goran Levin was personally involved in the delivery. Not until yesterday did I find a good picture confirming that the guitar in the movie actually has the pinbridge of the F-series. One interresting detail, which was something Goran also mentioned, is that none of the film maker took notice that the instrument actually had the Goya logo on the headstock. It is clearly visible on this picture but I haven´t been able to spot it in the clips I have watched from the movie. It shure is a pretty picture of the young Julie Andrews, apparently taken at the set in between shootings. Jack Walsh´s Vintage Goya pages at tripod have not been updated since 2004, and I saw most of his instruments being auctioned off on ebay some years ago. I did have some mail contact with Jack 3 or 4 years ago, even bought a couple of his nice T-shirts, but all my emails over the 3 last years have been without reply. Magnus Martin 000-16SRGT Several Goyas and Levins 1921-1974, 2 Sigmas Last Edited By: MagnusHultin 07/04/10 4:03 AM. Edited 3 times.
MikeHalloran		#10	[-]
(07/03/10 8:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	>this picture but I haven´t been able to spot it in the clips I have watched from the movie.< Yes, a viewing of the movie will show the Goya label and the pin bridge. At one point, Christopher PLummer plays what may or may not be a different guitar - the light is different so I can't really tell. I suppose that I could load in a videotape and compare but that level of obsession is beyond me at the moment. Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics...
hansmoust	pickguard on Goya G-10	#11	[-]
(07/03/10 2:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	MikeHalloran wrote: I have not seen that pickguard before. Maybe Magnus can weigh in on its originality. Most G-10s do not have a pickguard. MagnusHultin wrote: I have never ever come across such a pickguard on a Levin or Goya instrument, and the G-10 also did not come with a pickguard. My guess is it has been added after delivery from the factory in Gothenburg. TBodzTerryB wrote: I did speak with my Father this evening, he said that he bought it Brand New in Los Angeles / Downtown with that pickguard. Should prove to be authentic.... Hello Terry, It's very well possible that your father bought the guitar with the pickguard installed. However, it is definitely not original to the instrument. That pickguard was readily available as an add-on accessory at the time and I've seen it on many instruments from that particular period. Here's a photo of my 1961 Martin 00-21NY that originally came without a pickguard, but it had the same guard installed as the one on your dad's guitar. It's probably safe to assume that it was installed at your father's request. Sincerely, Hans Moust www.guitarsgalore.nl
TBodzTerryB		#12	[-]
(07/08/10 9:49 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thank you so much for the info Everybody in regards to the year and the pickguard. Magnus, Mike & Hans ..... very much appreciated. I should receive the guitar back soon from the Luthier that reglued the support inside and the butt seam for me. I will post pictures of the finished guitar cleaned up after it. Thanks again! Terry
MikeHalloran		#13	[-]
(07/09/10 8:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I always thought that the G-10 had a slimmer neck than other Goya classicals. When I sold mine last year, the buyer asked for measurements. I was surprised to find it was the full 2" / 51mm nut width of many of my other guitars. The profile was a touch less full but it felt slimmer than that. I A/B'd it with a few of my other guitars including my G-30 and it felt much slimmer in my hand than its measurements would indicate. Good guitars. Mine was my "throw it in the back of the car when I travel" instrument. I can't play now so I sent it to a better home. The only Goya I have left is my mighty G-30 and it, too may be for sale soon (Dad needs a new computer). Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics...
MagnusHultin		#14	[-]
(07/09/10 1:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	MikeHalloran wrote: I always thought that the G-10 had a slimmer neck than other Goya classicals. When I sold mine last year, the buyer asked for measurements. I was surprised to find it was the full 2" / 51mm nut width of many of my other guitars. The profile was a touch less full but it felt slimmer than that. I A/B'd it with a few of my other guitars including my G-30 and it felt much slimmer in my hand than its measurements would indicate. I like my G-10 to. After reading this post I had to measure to compare the width and thicknes at the nut between the G-10 and my Levin 112 wich was the model just below the Levin version of the G-30. They are both 51 mm wide and approx 22 mm thick. the noticable differrence is the scale lenght, which is 650 mm an most Levin/Goya classicals, but 630 mm on the G-10. Maybe this is what makes it feel differrent... N.B. the Levin classicals of the fifties had significantly thicker (not wider) necks. Magnus Martin 000-16SRGT Several Goyas and Levins 1921-1974, 2 Sigmas
MikeHalloran		#15	[-]
(07/10/10 11:37 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	MagnusHultin wrote: MikeHalloran wrote: I always thought that the G-10 had a slimmer neck than other Goya classicals. When I sold mine last year, the buyer asked for measurements. I was surprised to find it was the full 2" / 51mm nut width of many of my other guitars. The profile was a touch less full but it felt slimmer than that. I A/B'd it with a few of my other guitars including my G-30 and it felt much slimmer in my hand than its measurements would indicate. I like my G-10 to. After reading this post I had to measure to compare the width and thicknes at the nut between the G-10 and my Levin 112 wich was the model just below the Levin version of the G-30. They are both 51 mm wide and approx 22 mm thick. the noticable differrence is the scale lenght, which is 650 mm an most Levin/Goya classicals, but 630 mm on the G-10. Maybe this is what makes it feel differrent... N.B. the Levin classicals of the fifties had significantly thicker (not wider) necks. Could be - I did not check the scale. I also used to have a G-10 3/4 with an even shorter scale. A former student owns it now. Hmmmm... if I run into her when she's home from college, I'll have to measure that one. Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '80 N-20 Custom Koa, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '01 Cowboy X, '02 Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) '64 Guild MK V, Some Gibsons, A Favilla somewhere, Vega and other banjos, Mandolins, Ukuleles, A pair of upright basses plus all my electrics...
jazzkids		#16	[-]
(07/21/10 8:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I too have a Goya G-10 and a Goya G-10 3/4. I will measure and shoot some pictures to post. The G-10 was purchased new at Ray Lammers Music in Cincinnati, Ohio (now defunct) in the early 1960's. Serial number 123817, both of the Goya guitars are Birch that has been stained. They are decent guitars. Bob Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Last Edited By: jazzkids 07/21/10 9:07 PM. Edited 1 times.
jazzkids	Goya G-10 Measurements	#17	[-]
(07/22/10 4:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	On the G-10, the string spacing at the nut is 1 11/16", string spacing at the saddle is 2 7/32", scale length is 24 27/32". Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Last Edited By: jazzkids 09/01/10 1:32 PM. Edited 1 times.
MagnusHultin		#18	[-]
(07/23/10 9:00 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	24 27/32 would be 630 mm which was Levins shorter scale, used on all steelstring guitars plus a few of the classicals (G10, G13 that I can think of) and also the "Folk-series". 23 7/16 is approximately 595, which seems about right for a 3/4 sized guitar. This was probably aming at a market for young students. In the late 60:s they had a "model 140" in 3/4 size. I think it was sold in US as GG140. This was a mahogany bodied guitar with 615 mm scale. Your serial number of the G-10 indicates 1963. There was a G10 3/4 auctioned on Ebay last week. It sold for $207. There is a G10 right now in need of some setup work with a BIN price of $89.95. A bargain for a buyer who knows how to reset a dovetail neck. I think the bride need reglueing to... Magnus Martin 000-16SRGT Several Goyas and Levins 1921-1974, 2 Sigmas
jazzkids		#19	[-]
(07/23/10 9:19 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The 3/4 size G-10 Goya's are very difficult to find.. How many G-10 3/4 size did they make? Anyone else have one? I see that Mike had one and sold it, any others? Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Last Edited By: jazzkids 09/01/10 1:30 PM. Edited 1 times.
MagnusHultin		#20	[-]
(09/02/10 1:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	jazzkids wrote: The 3/4 size G-10 Goya's are very difficult to find.. How many G-10 3/4 size did they make? Anyone else have one? I see that Mike had one and sold it, any others? There is one being auctioned on Ebay right now... Magnus Martin 000-16SRGT Several Goyas and Levins 1921-1974, 2 Sigmas