1997 Gibson CL-30 Deluxe Dreadnought Guitar

This CL-30 is a lot like a '70s Gibson Gospel mixed with a bit of Hummingbird DNA and a few pointers provided by Guild. Half a decade after it was built, the popular Gibson Songwriter model also took-on much of its look and style, too. It's a square-shoulders dreadnought with a Martin-like scale length but Gibson-style handling -- the neck is slimmer and faster and has a C-shaped rear with a decent amount of radius in the board. It's very quick in the left hand.

Soundwise, it's punchy but warm and this version of the guitar has a press-arched back (though that was changed to a standard flatback design in '98). In this respect, it definitely reminds me of the old Gospel models and loads of press-arched-back Guilds of the '70s. That arched back gives the guitar some good kick out front.

Work was minor to get this playing but it's lived a mildly-traveled life, apparently, when one considers all of the weather-check to the top finish (caused by fluctuating temperature/humidity as if it was towed-around to gigs from place to place). I do like the sound and the overall style of the guitar -- it feels friendly and countrified at the same time.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, new bone saddle, cleaning, bridge pinhole fill/redrill, and setup work.

Weight: 4 lbs 14 oz

Scale length: 25 1/4"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Neck shape: slim-medium C/D

Board radius: 10"

Body width: 15 1/4"

Body depth: 3 3/4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: bubinga

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

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Condition notes: while the back, sides, and neck look pretty sharp, the top has a ton of finish weather-check cracks all over it -- long ones and short ones. It's in good order, though, and free of "true" cracks despite it. The top has a bit of doming under the bridge with a little belly behind it, though there's still a decent amount of saddle left for action adjustments in the future.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: C93