Gibson L-50 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1937), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst finish, Spruce top, Maple back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black - red line hard shell case.
In the depths of the Great Depression Gibson had a pressing need to develop more affordable guitar, and the (originally) $50 L-50 was one result. After a couple of false starts with smaller bodied guitars, the 1937 L-50 emerged as a fairly affordable Gibson typical of its era, a 16"mid-sized archtop guitar with plain trim but impeccable craftsmanship. The body is single bound top and back and equipped with an adjustable ebony bridge and nickel plated tailpiece. The bound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, while the headstock features a pearl Gibson script inlay. Tuners are nickel plated brass individual Grover Sta-Tites with celluloid buttons.
These smaller mid-1930's Gibson archtops have a distinctive feel and sound with plenty of punch and are great for many funkier period styles like blues, ragtime and jug band music and make surprisingly good fingerpickers. A nice 1930's carved-top guitar at an affordable price.
Overall length is 40 1/4 in. (102.2 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.). Very nice overall; a mostly original guitar set up with a non original, but period correct pickguard and similarly correct style but later replacement tailpiece. Some general wear but a very good player. Very Good + Condition.
