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1934 Gibson L-12

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Serial #: 91106 white oval label.

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .88/1.06

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top, solid mahogany neck, solid curly maple back and sides, solid rosewood fingerboard, mother of pearl 'picture frame' fingerboard inlay and 'vase and curlicues' peghead inlay, bound fingerboard, peghead and body.

Hardware: Original gold trapeze tailpiece. Vintage correct hardware includes 18:1 gold Grover Sta-Tite tuners, bound tortoise pickguard, compensated adjustable ebony bridge.

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 roaring 20's.

From the last full year of production for the 16" body, this ornate model was upsized the following 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. This gleaming example has been meticulously restored to its original glory, with a lustrous recent Cremona 'teacup' sunburst finish, newly replated gold tailpiece, and brilliant vintage correct Grover Sta-Tite tuners, now with precise modern 18:1 gearing.

The neck offers smooth low action over a traditional prewar light V profile, with new vintage style fretwork and a fresh high precision setup. At an astounding 4lb 5oz, 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 excellent projection. All complete with its original black Gibson 'red line' hardshell case.

For the player looking for true prewar tone and quality, with the playability and reliability of a modern luthier built instrument. An elegant classic, and one of the rarest prewar Gibson archtops, now ready for another century of vibrant performance. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation strobe tuned; 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, electronics tested and balanced.

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