Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips
archtop.com
1935 Gibson L-30
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
FON #: 158A-46 Body size at lower bout: 14 3/4" Depth at endpin: 3 1/2" Depth at heel 3 1/8" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .91/1.03
Materials: Solid carved spruce top; solid maple back and sides; one-piece mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, single-bound body, bone nut.
Hardware: All original hardware includes contoured dark celluloid pickguard, nickel trapeze tailpiece and three-on-a-plate open back tuners, adjustable truss rod, adjustable compensated ebony bridge.
Notes: The Gibson L-30 model was introduced in 1935, and made its debut with a dramatic solid ebony finish. It's compact 14 3/4" body boasted all-solid construction, including a carved spruce soundboard and flat maple back. Replaced in late 1936 with a sunburst version, the model was discontinued by 1943. The ebony finish L-30 was made for less than two years, in scant Depression era quantities, and is now one of the rarest of all Gibson archtops.
This brilliant example has been maintained in splendid condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. All original hardware includes the contoured dark celluloid pickguard, nickel trapeze tailpiece, three-on-a-plate open back tuners, adjustable truss rod, and adjustable compensated ebony bridge.
Smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup on fine recent fretwork, a traditional V neck profile, and a generous 1 3/4" nut make this little powerhouse ideal for pick or fingerstyle play. Weighing scarcely 4 lb even, the guitar has a bright, forward, punchy voice, with remarkable projection. A pair of grainline cracks on either side of the tailpiece have been soundly cleated and resealed, and the top and back given a recent matte finish overspray of vintage style nitro lacquer.
Complete with its deluxe original fitted Geib 'red stripe' arched hardshell case, this guitar is accompanied by a stash of original prewar strings, a pitchpipe, and a copy of its original page from the Gibson catalog, as well as its factory order entry in the Spann's Guide. Striking, rare and fun to play, this little black guitar goes with everything. One only, call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted as required; 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; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge phosphor bronze strings. 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.
