1943 Gibson LG-2 Flattop Guitar

This is a local customer's "banner" LG-2. It's a well-worn lovely and, as you'd expect, sounds like a dream. It's got full-on, big-sounding mids and highs and a clean, warm bottom. It's curious, too, because the back and sides are ply-maple like on a Gibson archtop from the time -- but then again, all banner instruments tend to be kind-of odd and fun.

The neck's giant and multi-piece maple and the truss rod doesn't even need to be used because it's so stiff. In fact, there's a little bit of a backbow issue with it, but strung with mediums it stays in order nicely.

It was here for a neck reset and fret level/dress and saddle job. I didn't have any unbleached bone on hand at the time but when it's back in for a checkup later-on we're going to swap to some to keep the look more authentic.

It appears to be all-original with the exception of bridge pins, saddle, and perhaps the nut. I love how much wear and tear is present throughout -- it's obviously lived a full and happy life over the years and its current owner uses it as his every-day "main squeeze."

A note on the maple -- it's funny that Gibson chose to use the flamed veener on the inside of the guitar and the birdseye veneer on the outside. Said maple also makes this guitar a bit heavier than you'd expect it to be if it had mahogany back and sides.















Comments

Unknown said…
Yeah, but how is it braced?
Jake Wildwood said…
Well, it's X-braced, but I don't remember what the shape was and/or if it had any oddities.