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1953 Gibson L-50

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Factory order #: Y5042-30

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .88/1.00

Materials: Solid carved spruce top; figured arched maple back and sides, solid one-piece mahogany neck, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, trapezoidal fingerboard inlays; bound body and neck.

Hardware: Original hardware includes Kluson nickel no-line tuners, compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge. Vintage correct aged 5-ply beveled pickguard, chrome raised diamond trapeze tailpiece.

Notes: The L-50 model was introduced in 1932, and remained in production until 1971, becoming Gibson's all-time most popular acoustic archtop. With the same scale length and body size as the L-4 and the ES-175 models, the L-50 is easy to hold and fun to play, for faster soloing, and easier reach of stretch chord voicings.

This fine example shows attractive slab cut figure in the arched maple back, with all original hardware and deep Cremona sunburst finish. The solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has original fretwork in good condition, with smooth low action and a fresh high precision setup, over a traditional gentle C profile neck, with a full 1 11/16" nut.

All binding is original and tight to the body, and the neck angle and bridge height are both excellent, with plenty of room for adjustment to any desired string action. Some pickwear, principally on the upper bass bout, has been hand retouched with a bit of spot lacquer, and the tuner buttons have been replaced with aged, vintage correct cream colored keys. A special bonus: an extra set of Grover style butterbean tuners is included.

At a mere 4lb 7oz, the instrument is notably lightweight, and balances nimbly on the lap or the strap. With its well-aged solid carved spruce soundboard, the voice is bright and clear with excellent projection. (The number '2' stamped in the back of the headstock indicates that the guitar originally was shipped as a second. As this would have indicated some minor cosmetic issue, there's no specific reason that we can detect at this late date.)

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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. 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Deluxe black plush lined hardshell case.

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