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1934 Gibson L-7

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Serial #: 91502 white oval label.

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

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid mahogany neck, solid figured maple back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, variegated mother of pearl inlay fingerboard inlay and fleur de lis peghead inlay; bound fingerboard, peghead and body.

Hardware: Original "Pat. Pend" nickel trapeze tailpiece, original nickel-plated Grover Sta-Tite open back tuners, original compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: If you always admired the superlative L-5's 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" L-7 is a rare guitar, made for two years only between 1932 and 1934. Produced with the same body as the 20's L-5, the L-7 was adorned with variegated pearl fingerboard inlays somewhat fancier than it's costlier cousin. This example is a very clean example in remarkable condition. The neck is very comfortable, with a slightly V-shaped neck profile, and was made in the last year for the generous 1 3/4" nut width, now a favorite of modern builders. This guitar is also unique in our experience, having the variegated "Nick Lucas" style banjo inlay pattern beginning at the first fret, rather than the third as commonly seen.

The guitar is in excellent condition, without cracks, buckle or fingerboard wear, and showing only some normal thumbwear and a bit of light pickwear on the upper bass bout. The centerseam has been soundly resealed under the tailpiece, and a double-acting truss rod installed for precision action adjustment. The formal dark 20's style sunburst finish is all original, and the walnut back finish shows some handsome flame figure in the carved maple back. The voice is clean, clear, brilliantly resonant, and wide open, with the sort of natural reverb we associate with a very finely carved top. In sum, for style, comfort, and tone comparable to the classic L-5 at a fraction of the cost, this guitar is an unbeatable value, and an excellent lifelong companion.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; 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.

Case: Deluxe black hardshell case with arched lid and crushed velvet interior.

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