Gibson Century of Progress L-C Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1935, made in Kalamazoo, sunburst lacquer finish, spruce top, figured maple back and sides, red line original hard shell case.
The L-C "Century of Progress" model is one of Gibson's most unusual acoustic guitar designs, and one of the most visually striking flattop guitars of any era.
Combining a 14" curly maple body with flashy pearloid ornamentation on the neck, the Century is visually somewhat reminiscent of a 1920's tenor banjo, and a distinctive sounding guitar in its own right. The maple back and sides give the L-C a crisp powerful sound perfectly suited to fingerpicking and ragtime, while played with a pick the guitar is both loud and bright enough to play rhythm in a small dance combo.
The body is single bound top and back, with golden sunburst on all surfaces. The softly V-shaped mahogany neck is also subtly sunbursted. Tuners are individual plastic-button Grovers, and the pearloid headstock and fingerboard are bound in black and white. Pearl diamonds are set in rosewood blocks in the celluloid fingerboard creating a dramatic three color visual scheme for the neck which nicely offsets the dark sunburst top. Soundhole ring is 3-ply, and the pickguard is Gibson's striking pre-war firestripe tortoise celluloid.
This is a relatively early example of the Century, with a smaller sunburst area on the top probably from around 1935. The model was introduced for the "Century of Progress" exhibition in Chicago in 1933, and was only produced until around 1939.
The L-C was popular with many Hillbilly and Radio Cowboy acts of the 1930's, including the Girls of the Golden West and Mainer's Mountaineers. This beautiful example is complete with the original red-line black hard case with purple lining-with even the handle intact.
Overall length is 40 in. (101.6 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.).
This L-C is in excellent original condition overall, with only minor playwear. Almost no wear to the neck finish except some light case wear near the heel. Top has one noticeable scratch to the upper base bout, a couple of tiny patched dings, and noticeable vein-like checking to the lighter sunburst area. Some pick wear to the soundhole edge has been touched up. Top center seam split was professionally closed long ago. Back finish is nearly perfect, sides excellent except some wear and heavy checking near the endpin. Neck angle is excellent, bridge and saddle original this guitar plays perfectly for a variety of styles. Original case also excellent condition.
