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Factory order #: NSN

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid carved spruce top; figured maple back and sides, solid one-piece mahogany neck, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, gold script logo; trapezoid fingerboard inlays; bound body, bone nut.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece, bound tortoise pickguard, original frets, adjustable truss rod; compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge. Hand antiqued nickel Kluson Deluxe style single ring tuners.

Notes: Gibson's most popular archtop guitar, the L-50 model was introduced in 1932, and remained in production until 1971. It has the same scale length and body size as the original L-5 of the 20's and early 30's, and the current L-4 and the ES-175 models. Easy to hold and fun to play, the neck has the same scale length as Gibson electrics, which permits faster soloing, and easier chording of stretch voicings.

This guitar shows a rare combination of features including an original bound tortoise pickguard, usually found only on the most expensive Gibson archtops. In addition, she is fitted in a particularly fine original brown Lifton plush hardshell case, rather than the flimsy chipboard fiber cases typically seen with this model. The guitar is in exceptionally fine original condition, without buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and only very light traces of pick wear. The original sunburst finish is particularly handsome, masterfully shaded in a gentle amber, and highlighting the grain of the soundboard clearly from from rim to rim. The original fretwork is in excellent condition, and the fingerboard has low, smooth action over a classic C profile neck. The tone is bright and clear, with plenty of punch and projection. A fine example of Gibson's perennial "Volksguitar".

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; 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 brown Lifton plush hardshell case

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