1950 Gibson LG-2 Flattop Guitar

Update 2021: I originally worked-on and sold this guitar to my friend Tom back in 2016. He's downsizing so it's back here for sale. I've done some more work so I've entirely updated this post with a video, new photos, and a new description. Now to that...

The factory order number on the neckblock of this guitar points directly to 1950 and man is it a killer old box. This one's got all those LG-2 tonal things you want -- a dry, woody, snappy voice that's punchy and snugs-into old-time, country, folk, and blues genres like a perfect-fit glove. It also has a velvety warmth to its upper-mids and highs that keeps it from being too bright or crisp. It's just... relaxed and wonderful.

Ravings aside, it's a pretty guitar, too. It's mostly-original (save tuners, saddle, and pins) but sometime a long time back it got a coat of overspray nitro on the entire guitar. You can't really tell at all because all of the old finish weather-checking is visible throughout. I only know because the bridge has finish sprayed on it and some of the fine weather-checking and older scratches (and the depressions on the back of the neck) have gloss/finish over them. I don't think, at a glance, most people would know.

The sunburst looks great, the neck handles like "home field" to me, and after repairs it plays perfectly and has a nice, tall saddle. It's ready to go.

Repairs included: neck reset, fret level/dress (previously), new bone saddle, replacement bone nut (previously), replacement tuners (previously... originals in case), mild cleaning, and setup.

Made by: Gibson

Model: LG-2

Made in: Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Serial number: 3218 26 (FON)

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: roughly 10-12"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-small

Scale length: 24 3/4"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Body length: 19"

Body width: 14 3/8"

Body depth: 4 3/8"

Weight: 3 lb 11 oz

Condition notes: replacement tuners (originals in case), replacement nut and saddle, overspray on body but really hard to tell. The center seam had separated at some point in the past but is professionally cleated (by an earlier repairman) inside. The finish looks great throughout and shows all the old weather-check and finish hairlining you'd expect and want to see on an old Gibby. Bridge pins, endpin, and one truss cover screw are/may be replacements. There's light scratches here and there throughout, some fine scuffing along the sides, some nicks in the back of the neck (capo use? pictured, not a big deal), and pickwear at the soundhole.

It comes with: a good hard case and original tuners (re-buttoned).