Gibson L-4 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1915), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, red sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingergoard, original black hard shell case.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
All we can say on this one is�wow! Show us to the time machine! We have only rarely seen a 100+ year old instrument in this sort of condition. There is typical fine varnish checking, there are small dings and chips here and there, but really the finish and hardware look a few years old, maybe�the label looks like it was filled in by hand last week. The nickel-plated tuners, tailpiece base, and pickguard clamps look shiny new�like re-issues that don't exist.
There is one well-sealed dryness crack to the top under the tailpiece, otherwise no repairs, alterations, or indeed even much handling. There is a very small amount of fret wear, but this guitar plays as well as any L-4 we have ever had from any era. There are a couple of small spots on the back where the varnish finish picked up a bit of texture from the case lining, and some tiny dings and chips but really�if they all looked like this, we'd still be in high collars and bustles. Complete with the OHSC in a very similar state of preservation. Excellent + Condition.
