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1936 Gibson L-30
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FON #: 702B-17
Body size at lower bout: 14 3/4" Depth at full taper: 3 1/2" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4"
Finish: Original ebony finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Hand carved solid spruce top; solid maple back and sides; one-piece mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, single-bound body, bone nut.
Hardware: 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, K&K Pure Archtop internal soundboard pickup with 1/4" endpin jack.
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 survived in splendid condition, with all-original finish without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Original hardware includes the contoured dark celluloid pickguard, nickel trapeze tailpiece, three-on-a-plate open back tuners, and an adjustable truss rod, with a recent adjustable compensated ebony bridge. Apart from a pair of short hairline cracks in the back near the endblock, and some fine light normal checking, the guitar shows few signs of its long career. Smooth low action over fine original fretwork, a traditional V neck profile, and a generous 1 3/4" nut make this little powerhouse ideal for pick or fingerstyle play. Weighing barely 4 lb., the guitar has a bright forward punchy voice, captured faithfully by the K&K Pure Archtop internal soundboard pickup with 1/4" endpin jack. Striking, rare and fun to play: the little black guitar that goes with everything.
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 nickel strings (.013-.057). 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 plushlined hardshell case.
