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1935 Gibson L-12

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Serial #: 91630, white oval label. FON#: 1057

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .97/1.07, 1st/10th frets

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid mahogany neck, solid flame maple back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, Mastertone style 'picture frame' mother of pearl inlay fingerboard and peghead inlay; bound fingerboard, peghead and body.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes Grover Sta-Tite tuners, trapeze tailpiece, compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Period Gibson bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: If you always admired the legendary L-5 model of the 1920's, but blanched at their astronomical prices, this is a guitar you should know about. Many folks feel that Gibson never surpassed the classic lines and magnificent tone of the original Lloyd Loar body design. The guitars are extraordinarily lightweight, with elegantly slim f-holes and some of the most delicately carved tops Gibson ever made. The resulting instruments possess a richness and transparency that is remarkable for instruments of any size.

The original 16" body L-12 is a very rare model, made for less than five years between 1930 and mid-1935. Built with the same dimensions as the 20's L-5, the L-12 was actually somewhat fancier than it's costlier cousin. With a fingerboard adorned with graceful floral designs, the L-12 was trimmed with ornate Mastertone banjo inlays, left over from the 20's.

From the final year of production, this veteran instrument would have been one of the last 16" body L-12 guitars, built just before the model was upsized later that year. It's also one of the last to be built with the generous 1 3/4" nut width, now a favorite of many players, with smooth low action over a traditional prewar light V neck profile, with fresh vintage style fretwork and a thorough high precision setup.

Well played and well loved, at a scant 4lb. 7oz. the instrument is exceptionally light in weight, well balanced and deeply resonant, with volume to burn. The voice is clear and sparkling, with abundant natural reverb and brilliant projection, the result of decades on the bandstand. The deep Cremona sunburst finish is all original, showing moderate normal playwear for an instrument of its vintage. A single short hairline crack near the guard has been solidly resealed, with no other repairs in evidence. And a special plus is the original arched black Gibson hardshell case.

An elegant classic, and one of the rarest prewar Gibson archtops. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. Action is set to 4/64 to 5/64 at the 12th fret, with medium gauge .013 phosphor bronze strings.

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