Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
1950 Gibson L-7
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: A-6469, white oval label FON#: 4677-10
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .89/.98
Materials: Solid handcarved flame maple back and neck; quartersawn bookmatched solid carved spruce top; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, split-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlays and "crown" headstock inlay; pearl Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock, bone nut.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes single line Kluson Deluxe tuners with single ring tulip pegs, hinged trapeze tailpiece with raised parallelogram design, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct 'McCarty' pickguard, with original P-90 floating pickup.
Notes: Introduced in 1932, the Gibson L-7 was Gibson's most popular professional sized archtop, and the last noncutaway example rolled off the line in 1955. Identical in all but cosmetics to the costly L-5, the L-7 has been highly prized by working players ever since for it's warmth, projection and playability.
An exceptionally handsome original example, this full depth, long scale 17" guitar combines the clear, open voice of a warmly seasoned solid spruce top with a highly figured solid tiger maple back. Carefully maintained, the instrument is in gleaming condition, and is exceptionally free of playwear in its original dark Cremona sunburst finish, and all-original nickel hardware.
Notably light in weight, the guitar tips the scales at just 5lb. 7oz. and balances comfortably on the lap or the strap. Open and well balanced, the guitar has the deeply resonant voice of a finely aged soundboard. Neck angle and bridge height are excellent, all binding is original and tight to the body, and the classic full C profile neck has smooth low action over fine original fretwork.
A special plus: this guitar was factory fitted with a 'McCarty' style pickguard/pickup assembly, Gibson's original floating pickup design. This original P-90 is now attached to a vintage correct replacement pickguard, with volume and tone controls, and a 1/4" jack attached to the guard. Apart from a few lacquer dents near the rim, this remarkable guitar appears all but unplayed, and is supplied with its original deluxe brown Lifton hardshell case, every bit as pretty as the guitar it's protected all these years.
An unusually versatile player, powerful and vibrant, unplugged or through the amp. Our most popular professional sized Gibson acoustic archtop, the L-7 offers peerless performance, at an unbeatable price for the practical player. 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 nickel roundwound 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.