1916 Gibson L-1 Archtop Guitar

Overview: It's a pumpkin L-1! I love it. This member of the squash family also happens to produce good music, too, in its midsy, woody, punchy, archtop way. These guitars have long been staples of country-blues fingerpickers because they get that sound and I've seen quite a few turn-up in the hands of folksies and avante garde troubadours. They're always popular when they're in the shop because... look at it!

All that said, they also have ginormous necks and curiously-steeply-radiused fretboards, so you really have to be a certain type to get along with one. If you like said things, they're excellent buddies. This one, in particular, has a little bit warmed and wider of a sound than usual. Many of these can be spidery but this one sounds closer to latter-era, later-'20s L-1s -- mostly because the top on this one's a bit thinner and more responsive.

Repairs included: Jose repaired some seams, gave it a level/dress of the frets, fit the adjustable bridge, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 24 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 7/8"
• Neck shape: giant V
• Board radius: 7 1/4"
• Depth at first fret: 1.05"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1.3"
• Body width: 13 1/2"
• Body depth: 3 3/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid birch
• Bracing type: ladder/carved
• Bridge: adjustable ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: It's original throughout save for a replacement bridge (which we fit for ease-of-use). Even the tailpiece pins are correct! There's light usewear throughout in scratches, scuffs, small nicks and dings, and finish weather-checking, but it looks really good for its age and type. These are often much more beat-up. I found no cracks, though there are slightly-misaligned back/side seams (this is very typical on old Gibsons from this era), though they're all glued-up so are no issue.

It comes with: It actually has its original hard case (with a replacement handle). The original bridge will be tucked inside the case pocket.

Consignor tag: PFSH