1951 Gibson LG-1 00-Size Guitar

Above, new clip -- below, old clip:

Update 2025: this guitar is "back in the shack" as-of 11/23/25. I've updated the post and description to suit.

Overview: For those of us into the dry, woody, rootsy sound of ladder-braced Gibsons, this is a pretty darn good example. It has a good "chunk" to its voice, nice volume, and it handles heavy-handed flatpicking very well. These guitars are a bit like magic for recording -- you can stick a mic in front of them and they just record easily. Their sound is "even and old" (almost to a fault?) and they're not too woofy in the lows or too brilliant in the highs. I think of them as "slow burn" guitars -- people pick them up and play them and aren't saying, "oh, wow!" at the first strum but once you pick on them a bit and sing with them you understand the popularity of the model.

Repairs included: Work on this one included a neck reset, minor brace reglues, a fret level/dress, and setup work (as well as a new saddle). It plays well and is ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 7 oz
• Scale length: 24 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium full C
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 57/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 31/32"
• Body width: 14 1/4"
• Body depth: 4 3/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: ladder
• 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 (though I suggest 52w-11 on these)
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: It's entirely original save the saddle and pins. There are a bunch of scratches on the lower-bout-top and, really, the rest of the body as well. The finish has weather-checked throughout and there are areas where it's flaked-off as it's aged. The saddle is on the low side as the top domed-up a bit after repairs last year -- ah, ladder-bracing! Still, the work is all done and it's playing great.

It comes with: It has a good, hard, molded case.

Consignor tag: KHRS