Gibson TGL-7 Arch Top Acoustic Tenor Guitar (1934)
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Item # 8731
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Gibson TGL-7 Model Arch Top Acoustic Tenor Guitar (1934), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 90987, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black rigid foam case.
This instrument is a very rare and particularly attractive pre-war Gibson archtop tenor guitar, the TGL-7. This model was listed in the 1934 catalog only as available "in stock", but was so rarely produced it was essentially a custom order piece. This 4-string version of the early 16" L-7 was originally priced at $125, the most expensive tenor listed and a substantial professional grade investment during the Depression. By that time, the tenor guitar had pretty much fallen from favor among orchestra guitarists so there was a very limited market for such an instrument.
This guitar was made in early 1934 and has typical features for that exact period only. It is basically a four-string version of the first-edition L-7, in production for a limited time even in 6-string form. The TGL-7 features a narrow bound fingerboard with "Nick Lucas" style shaped pearl inlay, shared at the time with the F-7 mandolin. The bound headstock has a script Gibson logo and fleur-de-lys inlay. The single-bound body has a dark sunburst top and deeply shaded back and sides -- a bit of a shame in this case as the back shows some very nice curly maple figure. The 4-string tailpiece, bridge, and narrower pickguard are all specific to this instrument.
With its 16" body, small unbound f-holes, and deep "V" profile neck, this L-7 is still a close relative in feel and sound to the original 1920s L-5, the first modern archtop. Although tenor L-5s do exist, they are so rare as to almost never appear, so this is as close as most 4-string players will ever get! This is a smooth and powerful-sounding early swing-era tenor with a surprisingly deep and resonant tone for a 4-string instrument; absolutely one of the best acoustic tenors we have ever heard.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 3/4 in. (578 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This rare Gibson 4-string L-7 remains in excellent-playing condition, with some typical play wear and old repairs. There are two sealed spruce grain cracks to the top, one about 3" long on the lower bout off the treble side of the tailpiece, the other running from the back edge almost all the way across the face above the low C string. Both are solidly repaired without major touch-up. The top has some pick wear, which does show some touch-up added in spots, most notably just above the strings about halfway between the fingerboard and bridge. The back of the neck has the finish worn away down to the wood from the nut area down to around the 5th fret area, with a few isolated dings beyond that.
This guitar was refretted some time back with slightly larger wire; there is some wear to these frets, but it is still a very good player. Everything on the guitar -- including the bound celluloid pickguard and dainty ebony bridge -- remains original except for the tuners. Currently there is a set of the correct style (but more recent) Grover banjo tuners fitted; in the case is a set of Grover locking guitar-style tuners that some might prefer as more accurate for professional use. These can be easily re-fitted if desired, with no further alteration to the guitar. A strap button has been added to the heel.
Professional grade arch-top tenor guitars of this period are quite rare, and this is one of the finest we have ever had. The sound is deep and resonant, without the shrill overtones that often color the sound of lesser 4-string guitars. This instrument has been well-played but also well-cared for; a very fine guitar and a fantastic find for the serious tenor player. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This instrument is a very rare and particularly attractive pre-war Gibson archtop tenor guitar, the TGL-7. This model was listed in the 1934 catalog only as available "in stock", but was so rarely produced it was essentially a custom order piece. This 4-string version of the early 16" L-7 was originally priced at $125, the most expensive tenor listed and a substantial professional grade investment during the Depression. By that time, the tenor guitar had pretty much fallen from favor among orchestra guitarists so there was a very limited market for such an instrument.
This guitar was made in early 1934 and has typical features for that exact period only. It is basically a four-string version of the first-edition L-7, in production for a limited time even in 6-string form. The TGL-7 features a narrow bound fingerboard with "Nick Lucas" style shaped pearl inlay, shared at the time with the F-7 mandolin. The bound headstock has a script Gibson logo and fleur-de-lys inlay. The single-bound body has a dark sunburst top and deeply shaded back and sides -- a bit of a shame in this case as the back shows some very nice curly maple figure. The 4-string tailpiece, bridge, and narrower pickguard are all specific to this instrument.
With its 16" body, small unbound f-holes, and deep "V" profile neck, this L-7 is still a close relative in feel and sound to the original 1920s L-5, the first modern archtop. Although tenor L-5s do exist, they are so rare as to almost never appear, so this is as close as most 4-string players will ever get! This is a smooth and powerful-sounding early swing-era tenor with a surprisingly deep and resonant tone for a 4-string instrument; absolutely one of the best acoustic tenors we have ever heard.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 3/4 in. (578 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This rare Gibson 4-string L-7 remains in excellent-playing condition, with some typical play wear and old repairs. There are two sealed spruce grain cracks to the top, one about 3" long on the lower bout off the treble side of the tailpiece, the other running from the back edge almost all the way across the face above the low C string. Both are solidly repaired without major touch-up. The top has some pick wear, which does show some touch-up added in spots, most notably just above the strings about halfway between the fingerboard and bridge. The back of the neck has the finish worn away down to the wood from the nut area down to around the 5th fret area, with a few isolated dings beyond that.
This guitar was refretted some time back with slightly larger wire; there is some wear to these frets, but it is still a very good player. Everything on the guitar -- including the bound celluloid pickguard and dainty ebony bridge -- remains original except for the tuners. Currently there is a set of the correct style (but more recent) Grover banjo tuners fitted; in the case is a set of Grover locking guitar-style tuners that some might prefer as more accurate for professional use. These can be easily re-fitted if desired, with no further alteration to the guitar. A strap button has been added to the heel.
Professional grade arch-top tenor guitars of this period are quite rare, and this is one of the finest we have ever had. The sound is deep and resonant, without the shrill overtones that often color the sound of lesser 4-string guitars. This instrument has been well-played but also well-cared for; a very fine guitar and a fantastic find for the serious tenor player. Overall Very Good + Condition.