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1950 Gibson L-4C
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Serial #: A-622(0), white oval label. FON: 3602-5
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16'
Materials: Carved bookmatched solid spruce top; slab-cut arched maple back; solid mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; mother of pearl parallelogram fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; 3-ply body binding, bound fingerboard, bone nut.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes raised parallelogram trapeze tailpiece, Kluson Deluxe tuners with single-ring tulip keys; Brazilian rosewood adjustable compensated bridge. Correct older 5-ply beveled pickguard, DeArmond 1100 adjustable floating pickup, volume control and endpin jack.
Notes: One of the best-kept secrets in the vintage Gibson line, the L-4C is exceptionally comfortable to hold, and zippy on the fingerboard. Introduced in 1949, the same year as the ES-175, the L-4C shares the same body shape and scale length as its electric cousin. But while its counterpart has an all-laminate body, the L-4C boasts a solid carved spruce top, which sounds terrific either amplified with a floating pickup or unplugged in the studio or living room.
This rare guitar is one of only 147 examples made in its model year, and has all-original nickel hardware and a handsome dark Cremona sunburst finish. The solid carved soundboard has been nicely played in over many years, giving it an exceptionally clear, open voice: bright, even and sparkling with natural reverb. Astonishingly light in weight, the instrument tips the scales at just over 5lb in total, another clue to its exceptional tone.
Well played and well loved, the guitar shows no cracks or repairs, with most of the playwear confined to the back of the neck and sides. Action is smooth and low over a classic, full C profile neck that sits snugly in the hand. A special plus is the genuine vintage DeArmond 100 floating pickup, the only adjustable version of this famed model, and highly sought by players and collectors alike.
A particularly versatile instrument, whether amped or unplugged, this handsome veteran is a positive delight to hold and play. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned 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 heavy gauge phosphor bronze strings (.014-.059). The guitar will accommodate lighter 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: Deluxe period black arched plush lined hardshell case.