Gibson L-7 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1935), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black - red line hard shell case.
A particularly attractive pre-war Gibson archtop, the new-for 1935 17" body L-7 at $125.00 was the least expensive of the improved "Advanced" line of orchestra guitars but still a substantial professional grade instrument. This 1935 guitar (factory order 3 410A-11) is a very early example and features the elaborate "picturebox" fingerboard inlay introduced in 1934, the shorter 24 3/4" scale length changed in 1937 and the X-braced top discontinued by 1940. This is a beautiful looking and smooth and powerful sounding swing-era guitar with a very resonant tone.
Overall length is 41 1/2 in. (105.4 cm.), 17 1/8 in. (43.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.). A very clean guitar overall, with very little play wear. The only major issue for this instrument is the original pickguard suffered celluloid disentegration some time ago; the current 'guard and bracket are nicely done reproductions. This also caused a long grain crack to the top wich has been very neatly repaired with a bit of well-done light touch-up. The finish is otherwise all original; the area of the top around the pickguard has had some polishing out and there is a bit of darkening under the 'guard from the celluloid outgassing. There is a very small old grain split on the back of the neck behind the 11th fret area (just above the heel) that is not open but has not been touched up or finished over. Apart from this these small issues this guitar is a spectacular example of this model, an excellent player and a delight to see and play. The original case is included, also in excellent condition with a noticeable area of celluloid gas staining above where the pickguard lay. Overall Excellent - Condition.
