Gibson L-1 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1931)
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Item # 4239
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Gibson L-1 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1931), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
A particularly rare and wonderful Gibson flat top, the 1929-30 period L-1 combines features from earlier and later eras into a unique package. With the larger, flat bottomed body and X-braced top used throughout the 1930's, but with the older 1920's style Cremona brown sunburst and script "The Gibson" logo, these 12-fret L-1's are a particularly attractive and classy-looking guitar.
They are also extremely lightly built, and have an expansive sound that works well in a wide range of playing styles. The production run for this 12-fret version of the L-1 lasted only a couple of years at the start of the Depression, so this $50.00 guitar was not made in large numbers compared to most other flat tops from Kalamazoo. One of our favorite Gibson models, we are always glad to have another of these in stock.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/2 in. (11.4 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.).
This L-1 is certainly one of the better preserved examples of this lightly built and rare guitar we have seen. While there are numerous small wear marks and dings and an area of pickwear just south of the soundhole, the beautiful hand-rubbed Cremona brown finish has aged very well with virtually no fade.
The guitar was returned to superb playability several years ago with an absolutely top-notch restoration including a neck reset, a perfect re-creation of the original bridge with an exact replica small maple bridgeplate. The work also included a light fingerboard plane, re-installing the original frets which remain in excellent condition with some light wear in the lower positions. There is one neatly repaired top crack behind the bridge off the high E string, and a small sealed grain crack just forward of the bridge between the A and D. The back of the neck shows a few areas of light wear into the finish. This is a very special guitar with a truly magical sound, which plays effortlessly with a very powerful response. Excellent - Condition.
A particularly rare and wonderful Gibson flat top, the 1929-30 period L-1 combines features from earlier and later eras into a unique package. With the larger, flat bottomed body and X-braced top used throughout the 1930's, but with the older 1920's style Cremona brown sunburst and script "The Gibson" logo, these 12-fret L-1's are a particularly attractive and classy-looking guitar.
They are also extremely lightly built, and have an expansive sound that works well in a wide range of playing styles. The production run for this 12-fret version of the L-1 lasted only a couple of years at the start of the Depression, so this $50.00 guitar was not made in large numbers compared to most other flat tops from Kalamazoo. One of our favorite Gibson models, we are always glad to have another of these in stock.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/2 in. (11.4 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.).
This L-1 is certainly one of the better preserved examples of this lightly built and rare guitar we have seen. While there are numerous small wear marks and dings and an area of pickwear just south of the soundhole, the beautiful hand-rubbed Cremona brown finish has aged very well with virtually no fade.
The guitar was returned to superb playability several years ago with an absolutely top-notch restoration including a neck reset, a perfect re-creation of the original bridge with an exact replica small maple bridgeplate. The work also included a light fingerboard plane, re-installing the original frets which remain in excellent condition with some light wear in the lower positions. There is one neatly repaired top crack behind the bridge off the high E string, and a small sealed grain crack just forward of the bridge between the A and D. The back of the neck shows a few areas of light wear into the finish. This is a very special guitar with a truly magical sound, which plays effortlessly with a very powerful response. Excellent - Condition.