Gibson LG-2 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1945, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, mahogany body, laminated maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black chipboard case.
Here is a well-played example of the celebrated "banner" LG-2, named for the headstock decoration reading "Only A Gibson is Good Enough". This period marked the earliest appearance of the long-lived "LG" series of small-bodied Gibson flattops, which replaced the earlier L-00 style instruments during the war. The specifications of these wartime guitars vary widely due to the scarcity of materials; this example has a mahogany top (as well as the back and sides) as Gibson had run out of spruce for a time. Many were built with large "baseball bat" neck profiles using only wood re-inforcement (due to wartime restrictions on metal) but this example has a fairly slim 5-piece laminated maple neck with the standard Gibson truss rod. This one has seen a lot of use but remains a great playing guitar with a sweet but ringing tone.
Overall length is 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This LG shows a lot of character with wear overall and some old repairs but remains very solid and a good playing instrument. The bridge has been re-attached (likely more than once) and the footprint of old repairs can be seen at the edges. There are repaired grain splits in front of the bridge by the top edge of the pickguard and two behind the bridge running almost to the edge. There is a small side crack in the waist, on the bass side. There is a lot of wear to the finish on the back, including a spot near the treble waist worn down into the wood. The back of the neck shows some wear down to the wood in the first position and some other small chips. The top has a lot of checking, some dings and chips but no large areas of strum wear. The bridge itself is in the original style but is fairly low most likely a replacement; there is plenty of saddle and no neckset will be needed any time soon. The guitar appears to have been re-fretted with correct style wire some time back. The tuners are new Kluson-style openback strips that work well. Overall perhaps a bit "Ragged but Right" but a very cool player. Very Good + Condition.
