1950s Gibson L-48 Archtop Guitar

Overview: The owner's family lore suggests this guitar is a curious, late-'40s instrument. It certainly has no serial number or factory order number that I can find. The design of the instrument, with a ply mahogany top, however, suggests it's a mid-late '50s L-48 and that's the story I'm sticking with. In any event, it's a lovely guitar, with a comfortable, "home base" sort-of neck feel, a lived-in, loved-in look about it, and a chunky, woody sound that would make any chord-chopper, fingerpicker, or country-blues aficionado proud. I even like these hog-top L-48s as midsy strummers in the cowpoke vein -- in this capacity they sit right in their own spot and anchor a band.

Interesting features: I like the fancier-than-normal tailpiece, not-quite-on-center strap button placement, and egads-amount of weather-checking and finish wear and tear. This is the sort of guitar that I like to own -- something with a little history all over it and with no fears of being bumped into bandmates on stage or friends at a jam.

Repairs included: Previously, I'd set it up and fit repro tuners for its owner. This time around, one of the guys (Jose? Ancel?) gave it a level/dress of the frets and dialed-in the setup again. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 24 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 55/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 61/64"
• Body width: 16 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/4"
• Top wood: ply mahogany
• Back & sides wood: ply mahogany
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: adjustable 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/smaller

Condition notes: As noted, there's weather-check to the finish throughout and small scratches, nicks, dings, etc. throughout as well. The back of the neck has some areas rubbed almost bare from playing. There are bigger scratches on the back and sides. It appears to be original save the strap button added at the heel, a different endpin fit at the endblock, and the replacement (nice, modern Gotoh "aged") tuners.

It comes with: I believe it has an old hard case.

Consignor tag: LCL