1930s Gibson L-12 Carved-Top Electrified Archtop Guitar

Overview: I originally worked on this guitar for its owner back in 2019, but since then he's had the back, sides, and neck entirely refinished and, I think, the top touched-up a bit. It's an L-12 from the '30s and, just like back then, I think it dates from between '32 and '34 judging by the features. The owner had me fit a DeArmond repro-style pickup at the neck position and it's strung with 54w-12 nickel-wound strings to take advantage of it. This is the case of an instrument that's a true acoustic carved-top jazzbox that can take a true electric jazzbox gig as well.

Interesting features: What's not interesting about it? Pearl-buttoned tuners, tons of pearl inlay, a nice old sunburst on the top, old hardware with the plating nearly worn-off, those slim Gibson f-hole cuts, a slick replacement pickguard... what more? The neck is comfortable (for being a medium-heft V) and it simply oozes class.

Repairs included: Previously, I gave it a neck reset, planed and refretted the board with jumbo stock, re-repaired some loose seams and binding, mended the tuners and tailpiece, and wired it up and installed the pickup, and set it all up. I'm sure there was a little more but that was the gist of it. Someone else had done some "okay" work before me and someone before them had done some questionable work, heh heh. Since I worked on it last, the owner had the back, sides, and neck refinished to a satin deep-burgundy color which suits the Gibson color schemes. It's still playing spot-on -- just like when it left -- and it's ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 14 oz
• Scale length: 24 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 1 1/32"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 1/8"
• Body width: 16"
• Body depth: 3 3/8"
• Top wood: solid carved spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid carved maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: adjustable 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 (nickel-wound strings)
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: jumbo (refretted)

Condition notes: The tuners are all original except for one shaft/set of worm+gear which are period splice-ins. The back, sides, and neck are entirely refinished. The top is original finish but topcoated and then buffed-down a bit to a satin. It still shows crackle and wear and tear under the topcoat, however, which is a nice touch. There's a big old crack repair to the center seam on the top and it's not lovely-looking but it is secure. The truss cover and screws are replacements. The pickup and pickguard are not original and the endpin jacks is also not original. The bridge saddle/topper has been modded just slightly to add compensation for the B string. There are some slightly-misaligned back/side seams but they've been repaired and are nice and solid.

It comes with: It has a good hard case.

Consignor tag: MKDL