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1947 Gibson L-7
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Serial #: A-179, white Kalamazoo label
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .86/1.02
Materials: Solid carved tiger maple back and neck; bookmatched graduated solid spruce soundboard; solid bubble maple sides; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; split-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlays and "crown" headstock inlay; prewar 'fat script" Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes Kluson Deluxe tuners with single-ring tulip pegs, trapeze tailpiece with raised parallelogram crossbar, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct compensated adjustable rosewood bridge, and wide-bevel 5-ply pickguard with aged nickel bracket.
Notes: Introduced in 1932, the Gibson L-7 was Gibson' most popular professional sized archop. The last noncutaway example rolled off the line in 1955. Identical in all but cosmetics to the costly L-5, the L-7 was highly prized by working players for it's warmth, projection and playability.
This veteran player is one of the first guitars to bear Gibson's postwar A-series label numbers, which began in this model year. It's also one of the last instruments to show the graceful "fat-script" pearl peghead logo, an emblem that had adorned Gibson archtops since the mid-1930's.
Graced with particularly vivid tiger flame maple in its back and neck, the guiytar shows handsome bubble maple sides, and a finely graduated fine grained spruce soundboard. The top displays particularly subtle feathering in its original sunburst lacquer, a signature of this era, and one of Gibson's most handsome finishes. The multi-ply binding is all original and tight to the body, and at just 5lb 11oz, the guitar is notably lightweight and well balanced, on the lap or the strap.
The original nickel hardware includes Kluson Deluxe tuners, some of the first with enclosed gears, and the triple parallelogram trapeze tailpiece. The dark walnut finish is all original, with the scattered playwear typical of its long career. Neck angle and bridge height are both excellent, with ample room for adjustment up or down. The neck profile is a full gentle C, with smooth, low action over fine pro fretwork on a fresh high precision setup. The top, back, and neck show no cracks or repairs, and a pair of hairline cracks have been solidly resealed on either side adjacent to the neck heel.
The voice is particularly robust as well: fully open and resonant, with the clear, vibrant projection only decades of vigorous play can produce. A true acoustic cannon, and a fine example of our most popular full size Gibson archtop. Play this guitar, and you will be heard. 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 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 phosphor bronze 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Deluxe arched black plush lined hardshell case.
