1951 Gibson L-48 Archtop Guitar

Overview: I worked on this back in 2021 -- giving it a level/dress of the frets and moving its K&K pickup from an external positioning to internal install. It arrived back here playing exactly as it left -- bang on the dot, saucy, and ready to go! Because it's pre-1954, this L-48 still has the carved, spruce top that these came with back in the '30s, too. That gives it the punchy, somewhat velvety, mwah-like archtop sound that jazz/chop-style rhythm players love the heck out of from old Gibson products. This one has a warmer-than-normal bottom-end, too, so strummers and country-style backup players may enjoy the tone, too.

Interesting features: The top is refinished but the rest of the instrument has original finish. The tuners are replaced with older Grovers and it has an extra strap button at the heel. It's got a lot of mild wear and tear here and there throughout the guitar that gives it a charming, relaxed look. The neck has a quick, easy feel to it. The owner told me it was a '53 but the FON points to '51.

Repairs included: It's had a level/dress of the frets, pickup install, and setup work done. Its center seam on top was also reglued at some point. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 24 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 7/8"
• Depth at seventh fret: 29/32"
• Body width: 16 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/8"
• Top wood: solid carved spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple sides, ply maple back
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: rosewood adjustable
• 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: smaller/lower

Condition notes: As noted it has a bunch of usewear throughout the finish via small nicks, dings, and scratches everywhere. The center seam on the top (under the tailpiece) has an old repair that is holding pat. The tuners are replacements (older) and it has a K&K pickup installed internally with a jack at the endpin area. There's an added strap button at the heel. The top has ever-so-slightly sunk over time in the center and that is completely normal with these guitars -- they use kerfed bracing and the stuff just settles down as it ages.

It comes with: It's got an old hard case as I recall.

Consignor tag: LCL/BR