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1947 Gibson L-7
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Serial #: A-201, white Kalamazoo label
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .90/1.03
Materials: Solid handcarved figured maple back; handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid maple neck and sides; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and compensated bridge, split-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlays and "crown" headstock inlay; prewar pearl Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece with raised parallelogram crossbar, original compensated adjustable rosewood bridge. Vintage correct hardware includes nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, bound swirl tortoise pickguard. Barcus Berry floating humbucking pickup, with thumbwheel volume and tone controls, and endpin jack.
Notes: Introduced in 1932, the Gibson L-7 was Gibson' most popular professional sized archtop, with the last noncutaway example rolling 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.
A wonderful find, this instrument is one of the earliest to be fitted with an 'A series' label adopted in this model year, and one of the last with the graceful prewar Gibson 'fat script' peghead logo. Graced with exceptionally vivid tiger maple, the back is artfully bookmatched in a chevron pattern, with deep flame that would be the envy of any L-5 or Super 4. The wide grain of the finely graduated parallel braced soundboard is often seen in spruce of the Adirondack region as well.
This handsome instrument shows no structural cracks, and has all original binding tight to the body, excellent bridge height, and all original fretwork. The subtly shaded deep amber sunburst finish is a signature of immediate postwar Gibson archtops, and is one of our favorites as well. The original aged lacquer finish shows normal scattered checking, along with a few incidental nicks and scratches typical of a long professional career.
The neck profile is a classic gentle C, solid in the hand, with smooth, low action over a fresh high-precision setup. Years of vigorous play have given the instrument a notably open and resonant voice, with excellent bite and projection. This veteran player combines the power and projection of a true big band cannon, with the warmth and clarity only heard with tonewood played-in over three quarters of a century.
A special plus, the instrument is fitted with an original Barcus Berry pickup, one of the first floating humbuckers on the market. A true rarity today, the pickup is faithful to the acoustic voice, and is wired with thumbwheel volume and tone controls mounted to the pickguard, and a 1/4" endpin jack.
A player's delight, and a true best buy in a classic Gibson archtop: 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 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 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 molded plush lined hardshell case.
