Case: Deluxe black arched plush
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1918 Gibson L-1
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Serial #: 47882, white oval label. FON#: 11137
Body size at lower bout: 13 5/8". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 13/16"
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid bookmatched back and sides; solid one piece mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; mother of pearl script peghead logo and fingerboard inlay.
Hardware: Original hardware includes Pat # nickel trapeze tailpiece with tortoise crossbar and inlaid pins, compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Period 3 on a plate open back tuners, vintage correct swirl tortoise pickguard from original template.
Notes: Introduced in 1902, the Gibson L-1 archtop is one of the company's most venerable models. Gibson's unique carved body guitars were a revolutionary innovation: with their arched soundboards and backs, and tailpiece-and-bridge construction, the instruments were specifically designed for steel strings, and produced greatly increased volume and projection over the diminutive parlor guitars of the day. The 13" 'Concert' size body was standardized on the L-1 in 1908, along with the 13 fret neck, bound fingerboard, and slanted script logo.
At a scant 3 lb. 10oz. this instrument is exceptionally light in weight, with its finely carved parallel-braced soundboard offering remarkable clarity, definition, and headroom. At the same time, the round port produces a uniquely mellow and resonant tone, with a bit more sustain and lower midrange response than later f-hole guitars.
With its generous 1 13/16" nut, the L-1 is particularly well suited to fingerstyle play, and positively barks under a good stiff pick. This example is in wonderful condition, with gleaming pumpkin colored top, and mahogany stained bookmatched back and sides. A tiny crack at the heel has been soundly resealed and spot finished, and two of the inlaid bridgepins have been replaced. The neck is contoured to a generous V profile, and the solid ebony fingerboard is admirably straight, with smooth low action over fine original frets.
Ideal for ragtime, blues, early jazz or old-time country, the L-1 is a versatile wonder, comfy to hold, and a positive delight to play. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as necessary; 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.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.056). 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 plush lined hardshell case.
