Gibson L-30 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1935), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, black lacquer finish, maple back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck.
Gibson's least expensive archtop from the 1930's, the (originally) $30.00 L-30 is still a finely-made instrument and great sounding little guitar.
Very simple with a black finish overall, white paint script logo, flat back, and minimal trim, the Depression-era strummer is a full carved-top guitar, albeit a small one, for the price of a good flattop. This version of the guitar was very short-lived and was soon slightly up-priced and given a sunburst top, probable proof that Gibson had overreached themselves and found it uneconomical to sell any carved top guitar for only thirty dollars!
Although only 14 3/4" wide, this L-30 has a surprisingly strong punchy sound and is an especially fine archtop for ragtime, hokum, and fingerpicked blues styles.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.).
One long repaired back crack (very old repair). Otherwise all original and very nice overall. Excellent Condition.
