This is a bit emotional for me, yet I need to face it. I am a beginner, learning guitar. In 2015, I inherited my dad"s guitar. I will never forget this, he told me that the guitar was not in the will. He told me that he wanted me to have it and to “make it disappear”. It has been in the case untouched for 11 years now. It is time I learn to play it. I contacted Gibson, and we talked for an hour. They shared info about the guitar and from pictures and the number inside it is a 1953 Gibson J50. In 1961 my dad was 16. He had an Indian motorcycle. His friend was 16 and had this 1953 Gibson. They traded, motorcycle for guitar. Dad had it from 1961 untill 2015. Now I have it. Gibson me to use Brasso, Murphys Oil Soap, and Old English on the guitar. They said due to its finish, its age natural patina, and those were the products used back then. Also Naptha. The truss rod needed adjustment. The nut is fine. The guitar is within Gibson spec. I am about to clean it, make sure the screws are snug, light drop of oil in the Kluson tuners. Gibson told me to use 3in1 oil. It is a CLP type product. It was used back then and they still use it today. As I am learning, I will put coated extra light strings on it. This will be fun.
Great stuff and a treasured gift for sure.
A beautiful story and a beautiful guitar. Look after it just like your Dad did 
What a beautiful inheritance and what a fun project to restore it.
Thats a sweet guitar. I was reading about those 1953 J50s. That is one of the choice years of the J50, your dad knew a deal.
That bad boy has the major mojo going with it. How does the case look? I am so stoked for you to have a cool part of you fathers history. I cant wait until you put some new strings on there and give it a some play. I bet it sounds killer.
Fantastic guitar and so nice that your Dad gave it to you to treasure and use.
Loved reading the story of the heirloom guitar! Hope you enjoy it for a long time!
That is a beautiful inheritance Paul. Enjoy the journey.
Here is the guitar cleaned. As I am learning, I put Daddario extra light 10-46 coated strings on it. This will make it easier to chord. It needed a truss rod adjustment. It is now at .008 or 2mm. The nut is in spec at the first fret. It sounds fuller and warmer than the Taylor Academy on the wall. It is also much bigger. The guitar is mahogany and has this aged blonde look where the nitrocelulose finish has aged. While working on it yesterday I was listening to James Taylor.
Hi Paul,
Man, oh man—a guitar with a story like that… 
it doesn’t get much better or more beautiful than this. I wish you an absurd number of hours with this magnificent guitar. 
Greetings,Rogier
That looks great, and what a fantastic guitar collection. Which Taylor is that one?
That golden color really is amazing
It is a Taylor Academy 12 grand concrrt. It is their student guitar. A G&L S500, and Epiphone Les Paul custom.
Here it is in natural light. The entire finish has patina. That is why I asked Gibson how to care for it.
Beautiful, so where’s the video?
Awesome.
Your dad traded one fine thing for another. No bad choices made.
I wish you lots of fun playing!!