1930s Gibson L-30-Style Archtop Tenor Guitar

Overview: I'm not sure what model of tenor archtop guitar this is and I can't find the factory order number anywhere on it but the features suggest right around 1935. It's like a normal L-30 from the same time but with a tenor neck, so I'm calling it an "L-30 Tenor" for convenience's sake. If anyone knows better, please let me know -- I didn't find this specific model in any of the old catalogs, either.

All that aside, it's a great instrument -- warm and full, easy on the eyes, with decent volume and cut, and a fast neck. The bound pickguard is icing on the cake of all that gorgeous, iced-tea-reddish-sunburst finish. It's a carved-top guitar, of course, and has the L-00-style, 00-sized body shape that L-30 players will be familiar with. The back is flat, however, just like most L-30s that I've encountered. I tend to think this gives them a slightly warmers sound over the fully-carved L-48/L-50-style versions of the L-30 and TG-50 that began popping-up over the next few years at Gibson.

Repairs included: Jose repaired a funky top seam crack near the tailpiece (cleats, fill, and cleaning), gave it a level/dress of the frets, did a bit of other cosmetic work, and set it up. It plays spot-on and is ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 2 oz
• Scale length: 22 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: .81"
• Depth at seventh fret: .88"
• Body width: 14 3/4"
• Body depth: 3 1/2"
• Top wood: solid, carved spruce
• Body wood: maple
• Bridge: adjustable rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 for CGDA tuning (might be nicer at 36w-10)
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/low (typical for the time)

Condition notes: The top has various pickwear on the upper bout. It was setup lefty at some point as there are filled holes for a reversed pickguard location. The top has an old center seam crack under the tailpiece that is repaired. The tuners are not original and the nut likely isn't, either. We added side dots if there weren't any already. There's an extra hole under the tailpiece mount.

It comes with: It has a funky old chip case.

Consignor tag: FRNT