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.
