1980s Lys L Dreadnought Guitar
Overview: Lys guitars were made in Quebec, Canada in the early '80s by Claude and Normand Boucher. Robert Godin (of Seagull and Godin fame) joined the workshop after Normand passed-away. In '83 a fire destroyed the business, unfortunately. They made several models but this dreadnought-style guitar appears to be the most common out on the net and its serial number and lack of a "real model designation" suggests that perhaps it's a first-year guitar from '80.
Interesting features: This Lys is almost like a prototype Seagull S-6 in its overall design and aesthetics with its bolt-on neck, birch back and sides, wider nut width than other makes, and no-frills satin finish. Differences include the wild headstock shape, 3-piece top with angled cuts to fit the pieces (sort-of like the back on a Martin D-35), and slightly more curve to the fretboard radius. It handles and sounds an awful lot like a Seagull -- even and balanced and with good cut.
Repairs included: It's had a neck reset, fret level/dress, cleaning, new saddle, and setup. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.
- Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz
- Scale length: 24 7/8"
- Nut width: 1 3/4"
- Neck shape: slim C/oval
- Board radius: 15"
- Body width: 15 3/4"
- Body depth: 5"
- Top wood: solid spruce
- Back & sides wood: birch
- 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: It shows average wear and tear throughout via small scratches, nicks, and dings and scuffs here and there. The truss rod cover is unoriginal and so are the bridge pins and saddle, but the rest appears original. There's a little discoloration of the finish at the bottom edge of the top near the endpin area. There's a bit of pickwear around the soundhole, too.
It comes with: Sorry, no case.
Consignor tag: JW
Comments
The Lys L is indeed the model designation, in the first generations it was the entry level Lys model, it was named model L and it became the model Lys L a bit later. The binding configuration was different, L had only a top binding while the Lys L has a top and back binding. The Lys L is also in a darker color than the first L.
Given the serial number it was probably made near the end of 1981 or the start of 1982.
I have flyers of the first 2 generations of Lys, but I don't see a provision to drop them here.
I collect Lys guitars and dat on them since 2008, I have trace back around 850 Lys still in circulation today...
They are great guitars.
Regards,
Jerry