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1948 Gibson L-4

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Serial #: A-2102, white oval label.

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .88/.98

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid mahogany neck, maple back and sides; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; split parallelogram pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; bound fingerboard, peghead and body; original bone nut.

Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes Kluson deluxe tuners with single-ring tulip pegs; compensated adjustable rosewood bridge; original beveled 5-ply pickguard. Vintage correct aged nickel trapeze tailpiece with raised parallelogram crossbar. Archtop Acoustic soundboard pickup with preamp and endpin jack.

Notes: Introduced in 1911 as an oval hole archtop, the L-4 is the oldest model name remaining in the Gibson catalog. The company's top-of-the line guitar until the L-5 debuted in 1922, the L-4 was redesigned with f-holes in 1935. For over two decades until its retirement, the noncutaway L-4 occupied a unique niche in the Gibson line, as the only carved-top guitar to retain the classic dimensions of the Lloyd Loar/Eddie Lang L-5 of the 20's and early 30's.

It's comfy 16" contour has always appealed to players reluctant to wrestle with a jumbo body archtop, and its fast 24 3/4" scale rewards the hand with effortless stretch chords and lightning arpeggios. Sporting the same tuners, tailpiece and inlay pattern as the L-7, L-12, ES-175, ES-350 and Super 300, this L-4 is one of just 125 examples produced in its model year.

At an astounding 4lb, 6oz, the guitar is an exceptionally lightweight, extremely resonant instrument, with a finely carved bookmatched spruce top, and a lovely Cremona sunburst finish. With excellent neck angle, and a fine steep bridge height, the guitar has excellent projection, while retaining an ultra smooth action. Together with the lightweight body, these combine to produce a particularly lively voice, with tone and volume many larger guitars would envy.

The guitar is in fine shape, and is remarkably free of pick, buckle or thumbwear, with a few incidental finish nicks, mostly confined to the lower side. Action is smooth and low on a traditional C profile neck, with fine original fretwork, and a fresh high precision setup. A grainline crack near the tailpiece and another by the bass f-hole have been soundly repaired, and the original sunburst finish of the top preserved under a bit of light clear overspray.

A special plus is the Archtop Acoustic soundboard pickup under the bridge, complete with preamp and endpin jack. Bright, lively, and fun to play, this handsome and rarely seen model is a true player with a sweet, wide open voice and looks to match, complete with its deluxe black arched TKL plush lined hardshell case. 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 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). 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.

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