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1953 Gibson L-4C
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Serial #: A-15368, white oval label.
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: All original nickel hardware includes raised parallelogram trapeze tailpiece, Kluson Deluxe tuners with single-ring tulip keys; Brazilian rosewood adjustable compensated bridge. Original 5-ply beveled pickguard included, additional bound tortoise pickguard with Bartolini floating humbucking pickup, volume control and mini-jack output, installed under guard.
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 a mere dozen examples made in its model year. The solid carved soundboard has been nicely aged, giving it a notably clear, open voice: bright, even and sparkling with natural reverb. Astonishingly light in weight, the instrument weighs barely 4lb. 12 oz in total, another clue to its exceptional tone. A well-cared-for instrument, the guitar shows no cracks or repairs, and is free of buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, showing mostly some light scattered nicks in the all-original dark sunburst finish. The Bartolini pickup is warm, quiet and faithful to the acoustic tone, and the neck is a gentle C profile, with smooth low action over fine original fretwork.
The guitar is supplied with its original brown Gibson hardshell case, well worn but still serviceable, as well as its original beveled black pickguard. A particularly versatile instrument, whether amped or unplugged, this handsome guitar delivers true vintage performance and unbeatable value.
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 nickel 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: Original brown Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case.
