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1941 Gibson L-7, Blonde
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Serial #: 96706, 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 quartersawn bookmatched carved 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; prewar 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, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard, hand antiqued nickel Kluson Deluxe 16x1 tuners.
Notes: Gibson formally introduced the natural finish in 1939, though the option had been available on special order for at least a few years earlier. Initially reserved exclusively for the ultra premium Super 400 and L-5 models only, popular demand caused the firm to offer blonde L-7 models just a year later. Scarcer and costlier than their sunburst counterparts, blonde Gibson archtops of this era likely 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 and sides. Lovingly maintained in superb condition, the guitar has all original deep amber blonde finish, without pick, thumb or buckle wear, no wood cracks, and only a few strands of light scattered checking. All original binding is tight to the body, and the body shows excellent neck angle and bridge height.
This magnificent guitar shows prewar features like the fat script Gibson logo and the concentric diamond style trapeze tailpiece, a rare early variant of this classic hardware. Smooth low action over a classic C profile neck, excellent pro frets on a dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and a gorgeous vintage correct tortoise pickguard so cunningly made we had to remove it to determine its actual age.
The voice has thrilling clarity and projection, with massive volume and a rich, buttery tonal range. Topping it off, this honeyed beauty comes nestled in its gleaming original black Gibson 'red stripe' faux alligator case, with the crimson plush lining. With spectacular looks and a voice to match, this eyecatching beauty proves that blondes really do have more fun.
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 arched black Gibson 'red stripe' case, with red plush lining.
