Gibson L-1 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1931)
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Item # 6947
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Gibson L-1 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1931), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 8 (FON), 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, this version of the L-1 was produced in this form for only a brief period from 1929-31. This L-1 combines features from earlier and later eras into a unique package, with the elegant look of the 1920's Gibsons on a more "modern" larger 1930's flat-top guitar. The larger, less rounded body and X-braced top would be subsequently used on similar 14-fret models throughout the 1930's but the older hand-rubbed Cremona brown sunburst finish on the top would be gone by 1932.
This one features the "new" for 1931 white script "Gibson" logo but still does not have any pickguard. These 12-fret L-1's also feature exceptionally light X-braced top construction, even compared to mid-1930's examples. While we are partial to all pre-WWII Gibson flat tops we find the L-1 from this year to be a particularly attractive looking-and great sounding-guitar.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 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 guitar shows some noticeable wear to the top and a few repairs but remains in excellent playing condition. There is one old repaired grain crack to the top on the treble side, well sealed but visible. The openback Kluson strip tuners are from the early 1940's with later buttons.The guitar has had a very clean neckset and the bridge has been visibly reglued. A fantastic sounding and playing instrument, a lovely example of this much-coveted Gibson flattop. Excellent - Condition.
A particularly rare and wonderful Gibson flat top, this version of the L-1 was produced in this form for only a brief period from 1929-31. This L-1 combines features from earlier and later eras into a unique package, with the elegant look of the 1920's Gibsons on a more "modern" larger 1930's flat-top guitar. The larger, less rounded body and X-braced top would be subsequently used on similar 14-fret models throughout the 1930's but the older hand-rubbed Cremona brown sunburst finish on the top would be gone by 1932.
This one features the "new" for 1931 white script "Gibson" logo but still does not have any pickguard. These 12-fret L-1's also feature exceptionally light X-braced top construction, even compared to mid-1930's examples. While we are partial to all pre-WWII Gibson flat tops we find the L-1 from this year to be a particularly attractive looking-and great sounding-guitar.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 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 guitar shows some noticeable wear to the top and a few repairs but remains in excellent playing condition. There is one old repaired grain crack to the top on the treble side, well sealed but visible. The openback Kluson strip tuners are from the early 1940's with later buttons.The guitar has had a very clean neckset and the bridge has been visibly reglued. A fantastic sounding and playing instrument, a lovely example of this much-coveted Gibson flattop. Excellent - Condition.