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1941 Gibson L-7, Blonde
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Serial #: 96996, 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; prewar fat script pearl Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock, original bone nut.
Hardware: Original bound tortoise pickguard, nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece with diamond and parallelogram design, compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, hand antiqued nickel Grover Deluxe 16x1 tuners, 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, and the prewar fat script Gibson logo in the peghead. Carefully maintained in wonderful condition, the guitar has all original deep amber blonde finish, without pick or buckle wear, showing typical normal checking, a few random lacquer dings, and a bit of flaking on the side near the tailpiece. All original binding is tight to the body, and the guitar is fitted with its original bound tortoise pickguard, and hand antiqued Grover Deluxe tulip key tuners.
The guitar has smooth low action over a classic C profile neck, with freshly dressed 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 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 Gibson brown alligator plush hardshell case.
