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1939 Gibson L-12

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Serial #: 96003, white oval label.

Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid maple neck, solid flame maple back, solid maple sides, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; art-deco peghead mother of pearl inlay and double parallelogram fingerboard inlay; bound fingerboard, peghead and body; original bone nut.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel "f-hole" tailpiece, chrome Grover scalloped tuners, and compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge. Vintage correct multi-bound true celluloid tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Introduced in 1930, the Gibson L-12 was an upmarket addition to the company's newly expanding archtop line. Originally a 16" guitar with ornate "picture frame" inlays, the model was upsized to a 17" body in 1934. Designated an "advanced model", this larger L-12 differed from the L-5 only in cosmetic details. Like the L-5, the L-12 had a figured maple neck, and sunburst back as well as top. Visually, the Gibson L-12 was distinguished by its pronounced art deco design, highlighted by its unique split-cross peghead inlay. This model also was the first to display the double parallelogram fingerboard inlay, later to become Gibson's most recognized fretboard design. Much rarer than either the L-5 or the L-7, the L-12 remains the most thoroughgoing example of art deco design on a Gibson instrument.

This short lived variant is the rarest version of the L-12, produced in this particular configuration for probably only a matter of months. Built in the latter part of 1939, it is one of the first to be built after Gibson returned to parallel bracing in the soundboard. Combined with the recently increased scale length, parallel bracing markedly increased the projection and cutting power of the instrument, to meet the demands of the larger dance bands of the era. The original hardware is in nickel and chrome, and most intriguingly, the body is fitted with an uncommon and distinctive "f-hole" tailpiece.With it's trio of cutouts echoing the soundholes of the top, this jaunty tailpiece is almost certainly the rarest on any Gibson archtop, so scarce that we've seen it only in pictures till now.

But for a few incidental finish nicks and some discreet thumb wear, the instrument has the uncanny appearance of an unsold item from a neighborhood music store that time forgot. The body is crafted of the most extravagant tonewoods, showing broad symmetrical rollers of curly maple of luscious depth and intensity. Preserved in stunning condition, the original sunburst finish is without pick or buckle wear, and no cracks are apparent in either body or neck. The original hardware is in superb condition, with bright plating on the Grover scalloped tuners and tailpiece alike. The compensated bridge is single-footed in the prewar style, and carved of handsome Brazilian rosewood. A vintage correct multi-bound celluloid tortoise pickguard completes the ensemble, and the entire package is nestled in its original red-stripe hardshell case with crimson lining, just as pretty as you please.

The instrument has a powerful open voice, with exceptional brilliance and dynamic range. The neck has a very contemporary "C" profile, with none of the clubbiness of many prewar necks, and smooth low action. A magnificent player with stunning looks, this eye-catching guitar has been immaculately cared for, and is one of the rarest and most striking designs of the Streamline Era.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Case: Original Gibson red-stripe hardshell case.

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