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1948 Gibson L-12
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Serial #: A-1453
Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Finish: Sunburst, nitrocellulose type.
Materials: Solid carved bookmatched quartersawn spruce top; solid flame maple neck: solid bubble figured maple back, solid tiger flame maple neck and sides; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, block pattern mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound body, bound bound fingerboard and peghead; solid bone nut.
Hardware: All original gold hardware includes Kluson Deluxe open back single ring tuners, triple parallelogram tailpiece, bound tortoise pickguard, compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, adjustable truss rod.
Notes: One of the rarest full size Gibson archtops, the L-12 was introduced in 1930 as a 16" guitar, then upsized to 17" in 1934 as an X-braced "Advanced Model", becoming Gibson's first instrument with the iconic double-paralleogram inlays. Parallel bracing was reintroduced to the model in 1939 and the contemporary script logo peghead debuted in 1948, the year this guitar was built. This gleaming instrument is one of just 57 L-12 guitars built that year, and from then until the model was discontinued in 1955, production dwindled so drastically that the factory built only a single example in each of the least two years of the model run.
Identical to the L-5 in size, finish, body materials, scale length and bracing, the L-12 differs only in cosmetic details from its spendy cousin, which can cost several times the price. In contrast to the plainer L-7, the L-12 features all gold hardware, and a full sunburst front and back, including the sides and top of the peghead.
This guitar has been maintained in astounding condition, with all original gold hardware and lustrius Cremona sunburst finish. With only a few random lacquer nicks to show for almost seven decades of age, the body is graced with an exceptionaly handsome figured maple back, sides and neck. Of particular note are the Kluson Deluxe tuners in the original open back design, seen only for a few years in the immediate postwar era. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has smooth low action over fine pro fretwork, and the neck profile is a gentle full C that fits smartly in the palm. The parallel braced soundboard is clear and powerful, with an appealing depth and woodiness, and at just 5lb. 6oz. the guitar is happily lightweight and well balanced, on the lap or the strap.
All nestled in its original deluxe brown Lifton hardshell case: an outstanding example of a very rare bird, in breathtaking condition. Our first one in years: one only, call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation strobe tuned; 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 deluxe Gibson Lifton brown arched plush lined hardshell case.
