1929 Gibson L-3 Carved-Top Archtop guitar

Let's all just admit that these small-body Gibson Ls are beautiful guitars. They simply are. This latter-era version incorporates some improvements compared to the early-'20s instruments by way of a fast, comfortable neck (supported by a truss rod) and lighter carving in the top and braces. As such, it's easier to play and punches a little more. It also has a gorgeous finish -- a red-brown sunburst similar to the older versions of the guitar but with a little more "pop" and contrast to the colors.

The guitar arrived in pretty decent shape except for its fretboard which was dried-out, chipped-out, and desperately needing a refret. Tim saw to that via hours and hours of painful struggle (with a helpful dose of leveling/dressing by myself at the end), saw to other needed repairs, and between the two of us we set it up nice and tidy. It plays spot-on, looks great, and feels great, too.

Customers were in the shop vying for this one when it was first here in May (its owner took it home to enjoy it for a while) and they've been picking it up all day long ever since it came back here in October as well.

Repairs included: a refret, new cobbled-together bridge (new ebony top by Tim, older Harmony base), seam repairs, cleaning, setup, etc...

• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 24 3/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C/oval
• Board radius: 9 1/2"
• Body width: 13 5/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/8"
• Top wood: solid carved spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: ebony adjustable/mysterywood base
• Fretboard: ebony
• 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/lower

Condition notes: it's pretty clean overall and crack-free, save for chip-out at the fretboard. The finish has weather-check and minor wear and tear but looks nice overall. The bridge is a replacement and the pickguard is missing but otherwise it appears original throughout. There are some mismatched back/side seams due to shrinkage of the wood but it's all glued-up pat. Oh -- and the endpin is a replacement but it did come out of a similiar-period Gibson mandolin.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MM