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2001 Gibson L-4CESN

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Serial #: 22001004, orange Custom Shop label. Oval Master Model label, signed and dated by James Hutchins, June 28, 2001.

Finish: Nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid carved Sitka spruce top; mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; highly flamed maple back and sides; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back and fingerboard.

Hardware: All gold hardware, including L-5 style deco tailpiece; Grover Rotomatic tuners; compensated tuneamatic bridge with inlaid feet; Gibson '57 Classic humbucking pickups and electronics; 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard; gold bonnet knobs; 3 way control switch.

Notes: Introduced in 1911 as an oval hole archtop, the L-4 is the oldest model in the Gibson catalog. The company's top-of-the line guitar until the L-5 debuted in 1922, the L-4 was redesigned with f-holes in 1935. It's comfy 16" body has always been popular with players reluctant to wrestle with a huge guitar, and its fast 24 3/4" scale rewards the hand with effortless stretch chords and lightning arpeggios.

This example is the desirable maple version of this venerable model, now available in mahogany only. Built with highly figured tiger flame maple of exceptional intensity, the guitar incorporates design features from a number of Gibson's most distinguished guitars. Just as found on the L-5CES, the L-4 is crafted with a solid carved Sitka spruce top, and fitted with the ornate art deco tailpiece, twin gold humbuckers, bound tortoise guard and pearl inlaid bridge. The 16" Florentine cutaway body shares the same dimensions as the ever-popular ES-175, as well as the inlay pattern, which is found on the L-7, L-12, ES-350, Super 300 and other classic models.

This guitar is signed by James Hutchins, renowned head of the Gibson Custom, Art and Historic Division, and is finished in a gorgeous amber blonde, which highlights the flamed maple body to exceptional advantage. The mahogany neck produces an instrument that is distinctly lighter in weight, and notably well balanced, with smooth low action over a gentle C profile neck with solid ebony fingerboard. The contoured body is warmly resonant, and nicely resistant to feedback. Fitted with all-gold hardware, the guitar has been maintained in superb condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and appears virtually unplayed.

This gleaming instrument is supplied with its complete factory tags and paperwork, including the Certificate of Authenticity. A special bonus is a custom made Small Dog padded Cordura case cover, which has kept the original Gibson hardshell in pristine condition as well. An outstanding instrument in a distinguished lineage that spans almost a century of gorgeous, hard-working guitars. One only: call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as needed; 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 wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.052). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Deluxe black arched Gibson logo hardshell case with plush lining.

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