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1963 Gibson L-4CN
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status of this instrument, please check here.
If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments
page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or
any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].
Serial #: 191585, orange oval label Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16' Neck depth: .78/.87, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Solid carved bookmatched Sitka spruce soundboard; slab-cut arched maple back and sides; solid mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearloid fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; 3-ply body binding, bound fingerboard.
Hardware: All original nickel hardware includes Kluson Deluxe double ring tuners, triple parallelogram trapeze tailpiece; 5-ply black pickguard, adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge. Nickel DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief floating single coil pickup with control box, clear barrel volume and tone controls.
Notes: One of the best-kept secrets of Gibson archtops, the L-4C is notably comfortable to hold, with a fingerboard that makes stretch chords and fast runs a breeze. 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, with a warm vibrant voice, amplified or unplugged. And its suspended fingerboard allows plenty of clearance for the installation of a wide variety of floating pickups as well.
This splendid guitar is one of just 16 blonde L-4CNs shipped in its model year, and remains fitted with all its original nickel hardware, with the addition of a DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief floating single coil pickup and with control box, volume and tone knobs, tone switch, and cable all included.
Body and neck are notably free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and the original fretwork remains in excellent condition. The original amber blonde finish has been warmly aged, with some typical scattered checking, mostly confined to the soundboard. Apart from a few small nicks near the cutaway horn, the guitar shows few signs of play altogether.
At a scant 5lb 9oz, the guitar is wonderfully light in weight, with a soundboard graduated to remarkably fine tolerances, a clue to its exceptionally clear, open acoustic voice. The slim depth D profile neck is a marvel of comfort, with a generous, full width 1 11/16" nut, fine original fretwork, and smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.
A true bop era classic, this striking guitar is a rare, handsome, and exceptionally playable treasure from Gibson's Golden Era. 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 wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with light relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Deluxe black arched hardshell case, with plush lining.
