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1951 Gibson L-4N

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Serial #: A-7659, white oval label. FON#: 6931-17

Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .87/.97

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid mahogany neck; arched 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, trapeze tailpiece with raised parallelogram crossbar, beveled 5-ply pickguard. Period compensated adjustable bridge.

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 75 examples produced in its model year in the rare natural finish. Representing less than a third of production of this model, blonde finish guitars were premium priced, as they highlight the natural wood figure to greatest advantage.

At an phenomenal 4lb, 11oz, the guitar is an exceptionally lightweight, highly resonant instrument, with a finely carved bookmatched spruce top, and slab-cut arched maple back and sides. With excellent neck angle, and fresh vintage correct fretwork, the guitar has brilliant 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, mostly showing a few incidental finish nicks, and fine age checking in the deeply ambered original nitro lacquer finish. Action is smooth and low on a traditional C profile neck, with fine original fretwork, and a fresh high precision setup. A short hairline crack at the bottom of the bass f-hole has been soundly resealed, and the guitar remains fitted with its original nickel tuners and tailpiece, and wide bevel 5-ply pickguard.

Lively, handsome, and fun to play, this attractive and rarely seen model is a true player, with a sweet, wide open voice and looks to match. All complete with its lovely original brown Lifton 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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