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1938 Gibson L-50
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SN#: DG-4598, stamped on peghead
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .095/1.09, 1st/10th fret
Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Hand carved solid spruce top; solid flame maple back and sides; one-piece mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, single-bound body, ebony nut.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes nickel three-on-a-plate open back tuners, raised-diamond trapeze tailpiece, adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct brown tortoise pickguard installed, original guard included.
Notes: Gibson's most popular archtop model, the L-50 was introduced in 1932. Its 14 3/4" body was upsized to 16" in 1935, and this evergreen favorite remained in the catalog until 1971. With its compact body and 24 3/4" scale, the L-50 retained the same dimensions as the original Loar-era L-5, and its solid carved soundboard and adjustable truss rod put it a cut above the laminate mass market archtops of the time.
Unlike postwar examples with laminate bodies, this fine prewar guitar was built with a solid carved back of arched figured maple, finished in a deep walnut stain. Well played and well loved, this veteran performer has a solid carved spruce soundboard, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and a one-piece mahogany neck. The guitar shows original Cremona sunburst finish, with some normal playwear, mostly around the upper bout of the soundboard, and a bit of color added near the treble soundhole. A pair of hairline cracks have been soundly resealed, one at the bottom of the treble soundhole, and the other near the back waist on the bass side.
The generous 1 3/4" fingerboard affords ample width for finger or pick style play, with a fresh high-precision setup for smooth low action over the solid traditional V profile neck. Weighing in at a phenomenal 4lb 7oz, the guitar is a delight to hold, and simply floats on the lap or the strap. With the fine, open voice of a classic big band trouper, the guitar has unusually powerful projection, excellent balance and sparkling natural reverb.
If you've always coveted the tone of the dot-neck L-5, but balked at the astronomical prices, consider this perennial best buy in a true prewar Gibson classic. True vintage performance at a player's price: one only, call now.
Setup: 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; 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-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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 arched black velour lined hardshell case.
