Gibson L-50 Arch Top Acoustic Guitar , c. 1935
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Item # 3458
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Gibson L-50 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1935, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, maple body, spruce top, mahogany neck, black tolex hard shell case.
The mid-1930's L-50 is a fairly unusual Gibson but typical of its era, a small-body archtop guitar with plain trim but impeccable craftsmanship. This version of the model was only built for a very short time around 1934-5, and then the L-50 was upgraded to the more familiar 16" body. In the early years of the Great Depression, instrument makers had to build affordable guitars like this or face extinction! The body pattern is actually quite similar to the contemporary L-0 flat top, but fitted with a carved soundboard.
The body is single bound top and back with an unbound tortoise celluloid pickguard, adjustable ebony bridge, and nickel plated tailpiece. The unbound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, while the headstock features a pearl Gibson script inlay. Tuners are unplated brass Grover strips with celluloid buttons.
These small-body Gibson archtops have a distinctive feel and sound with plenty of punch. While not as smooth-toned as their larger brethren, they are great for many funkier period styles like blues, ragtime, and jug band music and make surprisingly good fingerpickers. A nice 1930's carved-top guitar at an affordable price.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
All original except for a newer nut with average moderate finish wear to the top. As the fingerboard is quite close to the top plane, these guitars tended to accumulate strumwear rapidly with enthusiastic use. One small repaired back crack, small strap button hole in heel, and some very minor areas of finish touch up are the only alterations. Plays and sounds very well and includes a more recent hard case. Excellent Condition.
The mid-1930's L-50 is a fairly unusual Gibson but typical of its era, a small-body archtop guitar with plain trim but impeccable craftsmanship. This version of the model was only built for a very short time around 1934-5, and then the L-50 was upgraded to the more familiar 16" body. In the early years of the Great Depression, instrument makers had to build affordable guitars like this or face extinction! The body pattern is actually quite similar to the contemporary L-0 flat top, but fitted with a carved soundboard.
The body is single bound top and back with an unbound tortoise celluloid pickguard, adjustable ebony bridge, and nickel plated tailpiece. The unbound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, while the headstock features a pearl Gibson script inlay. Tuners are unplated brass Grover strips with celluloid buttons.
These small-body Gibson archtops have a distinctive feel and sound with plenty of punch. While not as smooth-toned as their larger brethren, they are great for many funkier period styles like blues, ragtime, and jug band music and make surprisingly good fingerpickers. A nice 1930's carved-top guitar at an affordable price.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
All original except for a newer nut with average moderate finish wear to the top. As the fingerboard is quite close to the top plane, these guitars tended to accumulate strumwear rapidly with enthusiastic use. One small repaired back crack, small strap button hole in heel, and some very minor areas of finish touch up are the only alterations. Plays and sounds very well and includes a more recent hard case. Excellent Condition.