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1935 Gibson L-7, 16" Body

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Serial #: 91966, white oval label. FON#: 1499 Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .89/1.09

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

Hardware: All original nickel hardware includes Grover G-98 Sta-Tite open back tuners, trapeze tailpiece, compensated adjustable ebony bridge, bound tortoise pickguard, with nickel bracket, adjustable truss rod.

Notes: If you always coveted the fabled Loar design L-5 of the 20's (and who doesn't?) but had less than $20K or so in the couch cushions, we'll let you in on a little secret: the 16" L-7. A very rare model, it was produced in small numbers for only a little over two years, between 1932 and mid-1935. Built with the same body, bracing, and scale length as the L-5, the L-7 is actually notably lighter in weight, and better balanced, due to its lightweight Honduran mahogany neck.

Moreover, the L-7 was adorned with variegated pearl fingerboard inlays considerably more ornate than it's costlier cousin. (Similar to those found on Gibson's Nick Lucas model, these inlays were left over stock from Gibson's ornate Mastertone banjos of the 20's.)

These lively guitars are exceptionally 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 remarkable for guitars of any size. Parallel braced for power and projection like the L-5, the 16" L-7 was discontinued later this model year, when Gibson upsized the model to a 17" X-braced body.

This stunning guitar is one of the very last of the 16" models, and has been beautifully maintained, with all original nickel hardware, a finely graduated solid spruce soundboard, and a solid carved arched maple back. At barely 5lb, the instrument is exceptionally light in weight, and deftly balanced on he lap or the strap. The neck has a comfy traditional V profile, and was made in the last year for the generous 1 3/4" nut, with smooth low action and a fresh high-precision setup. over fine original fretwork.

A truly splendid example, the guitar shows no cracks or repairs, with a lustrous Cremona sunburst finish, remarkably free of pick, buckle and thumbwear. Apart from a few scattered lacquer nicks the instrument looks much as it must have when it left the Kalamazoo factory in the second year of the Roosevelt administration. The voice is clear, brilliantly resonant, and wide open, with the sort of natural reverb we associate with tonewood seasoned for almost a century. A special plus, the guitar is equipped with an original DeArmond FHC pickup, with control rod and volume control and cable, all removable with just two knurled screws. For optimum intonation, the bridge is fitted with an additional compensated ebony saddle, with the original saddle included in the case.

Nestled in its original back Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case, this gleaming guitar offers tone, playability, and styling comparable to the Loar design L-5, at a mere fraction of the cost. An unbeatable value, and a magnificent performer for the serious player. One only: call now.

Setup: The trussrod tension and neck relief have been adjusted; bridge height and 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 conditioned; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. Action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with .013 gauge phosphor bronze strings.

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