Gibson L-3 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1923), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 74553, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
Overall length is 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This is a very fine playing Loar-era L-3, with some repairs and finish work mostly related to a previous pickup installation. The top retains the original sunburst but has been French polished over; the red sunburst color is still strong and correct but the patina is smoother than it once was. The rest of the instrument's finish is fully original and has some light average wear. The hardware is mostly original, including the tailpiece, adjustable bridge, pickguard and "transitional" style clamp. The guard itself has been cut and neatly patched by the soundhole, where a pickup once sat but this is fairly inconspicuous. The tuners are in a fairly correct looking mode but date to the 1960's. Overall a good player, not the cleanest we have had but a nice period piece, complete with the original case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
