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1940 Gibson L-7, Blonde
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Serial #: 96461, white Kalamazoo label
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"
Finish: Amber blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Spectacular arched tiger flame maple sides and back; solid handcarved bookmatched spruce top; solid 3 piece maple neck with walnut centerstripe; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, split-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlays and "crown" headstock inlay; older fat script pearl Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock, original bone nut.
Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece with diamond and parallelogram design, compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel Grover Sta-Tite tuners, original bound tortoise pickguard, adjustable truss rod.
Notes: Gibson introduced the natural finish, along with its new cutaway option, on its L-5 and Super 400 models in 1939. Although the first blonde L-7 isn't pictured until the 1942 catalog, examples were produced as early as 1940. Scarcer and costlier than their sunburst counterparts, blonde Gibson archtops of this era may account for as little as 15 to 20% of total production.
To feature the new natural finish to best advantage, Gibson' craftsmen saved the most highly figured maple for the blonde guitars. This example is no exception, with extravagantly quilted maple figure running continuously from rim to rim on its arched back. The original hardware includes rare art-deco "concentric diamond" trapeze tailpiece, bound tortoise pickguard, compensated rosewood adjustable bridge, and open back Grover tuners.
This remarkable instrument has been maintained in particularly outstanding condition, and is the best preserved example of the early blonde L-7 we've seen to date. The amber blonde finish is all original, without pick, buckle, or fingerboard wear, and all original binding tight to the body. Apart from some light normal thumb wear and a single replacement prewar tuner, the guitar is in stunning original condition, right down to the coveted original lacquered striped tweed 'aircraft cloth' plush hardshell case.
The guitar has smooth low action over a classic C profile neck, with freshly installed frets on a dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The voice has thrilling clarity and projection, with massive volume and a rich, buttery tonal range. With spectacular looks and a voice to match, this guitar is the whole package, in every sense of the term.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as needed; 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.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze 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: Original lacquered striped tweed 'aircraft cloth' plush hardshell case.
