1934 Gibson L-4 Carved-Top Archtop Guitar

Heart be still, eh? This '34 L-4 is just a rung down from the (popularity-wise) top-cat L-5 and sounds and plays just like one from the same year. This particular guitar sounds excellent to my ears and I've handled a ton of old Gibson carved-tops. It has velvet and chunk to the bottom-end and saucy, full-sounding trebles. It can dance in just about any traditional style you want to throw at it and dance happily at that.

It only needed a very light amount of work to get it playing spot-on and so it's ready to roll for the next player.

Features include a fully-carved top and back, lightly-figured maple for the back and sides, banjo-style inlay patterns in the neck, a cantilevered fretboard extension, and extra-height, fancier bridge design. It has a ton of volume and pep, too.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, bridge adjustments, and setup.

Top wood: solid spruce (carved)

Back & sides wood: solid maple (carved back)

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: ebony

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 soft V

Board radius: 10"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: smaller/lower

Scale length: 24 3/4"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Body width: 16"

Body depth: 3 3/8" + arching

Weight: 5 lbs 0 oz

Condition notes: aside from normal playwear/usewear (scratches, etc.), it's in good condition and completely original. It's crack-free. It's wonderful to see an original pickguard and bridge intact. They're often damaged or missing. Yes, there are a variety of longer scratches on the back and nicks and dings here and there throughout. The overall impression, though, is of grand old royalty! I know, hyperbole, but it's a great old box and represents itself that way up-front. Please peek through all the pictures fully. The back of the neck also shows some wear marks that look suspiciously like wear from a capo used fairly religiously in frets 1-5. I also lightly-notched the B-string slot at the saddle to give it better compensation. It's hardly visible.

It comes with: its (presumably) original case.