Gibson L-7 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1937), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 94752, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, brown hard shell case.
This 1937 L-7 is particularly attractive pre-war Gibson acoustic archtop; it has seen some minor modification over the years enabling it to also serve as an amplified instrument and performs very well in either unplugged or plugged-in mode equipped with a classic original DeArmond Rhythm Chief floating pickup.
This 17" arch top is built on a maple body with a carved back and carved spruce top, offering the same basic playing features as the "Advanced" L-5 with somewhat less expensive woods and trim, although not a plain guitar by any means. Priced at $125.00 this model the was the least expensive professional grade model of the "Advanced" line of orchestra guitars, still a high quality instrument. The top, back, fingerboard and headstock are all single bound. The most striking feature is the elaborate "picturebox" fingerboard inlay, a delicate and attractive design that allowed Gibson to use up pearlwork initially intended for banjos. The mahogany neck features a shorter 24 3/4" scale length than later 17" Gibson archtops and the spruce top itself is X-braced, a feature which would be discontinued by 1940.
This is a beautiful looking and fine sounding swing-era guitar, somewhat re-worked since the mid-1930s but still a fine player's instrument that would grace any bandstand, smooth and powerful-sounding with a deep and resonant tone acoustically. The DeArmond pickup has been considered the perfect way to amplify these guitars since the 1940s and this one offers up the classic "electric Jazz" tone heard on many recordings from the '50s, 60s and beyond.
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.).
This nearly 90 year old guitar has been reworked a bit over the years but does no shows all that much actual play wear. The original lacquer finish has some checking with dings, dents and scratches scattered around but no heavily worn areas. Ther is no evidence of any substantial structural repair, except for a later refret with larger wire.
The hardware is from a mix of eras; from top to bottom: the tuners are the original open back Grover Sta-Tites; a set of close reproes is included in the case that drop on without modification. The truss rod cover is a correct style repro. The single-bound pickguard was made recently to accommodate the vintage 1950-60s DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickup; it is roughly the correct style and holds the volume and tone mini-knobs and "Rhythm" push-button switch. The pickguard bracket remains original. The pickup itself is attached via the classic bracket attached to the fingerboard extension. This is wired to an endpin jack; the tailpiece is a correct Gibson part from the 1950s; it has been altered slightly to accommodate the jack installation. The original tailpiece is included in the case with a broken hinge.
The full-contact base rosewood bridge is original, the saddle was once lowered from beneath for no logical reason and has some extra string notches on the bass side. A modern strap button is fitted at the heel. As noted the guitar was regretted some time back with wire somewhat larger than the original but the nut appears original.
While no longer completely original this guitar still looks great, fully vintage-correct and performs like a true classic, with a powerful acoustic sound that can be pushed without getting thin and an excellent amplified tone from the DeArmond. This would be an excellent gigging archtop, on that can be played hard without worrying too much about the "collectible" appeal. It is housed in a worn but functional 1950s period Gibson brown HSC with the green felt lining. A more accurate repro pickguard is also included, along with the modern set of tuners and broken original tailpiece. Overall Very Good + Condition.
