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c. late 30's Gibson H-00 Conversion
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FON#: xxxx-18, pencilled on neck block
Width at lower bout: 14 5/8" Depth at endpin: 4 3/8" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 7/8" String spacing at bridge: 2 3/8"
Materials: Solid X-braced Adirondack spruce top; Honduras mahogany back and sides and neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge with compensated bone saddle and black pins; small contoured firestripe tortoise pickguard; mother of pearl dot fingerboard inlays; bound top and back; Waverly nickel open-back grained ivoroid key tuners; bone nut; adjustable truss rod.
Notes: Competing in earnest with CF Martin in the depths of the Great Depression, Gibson introduced the L-00 flat top model in 1931. With a body roughly similar in size to Martin's 00 models, the L-00 made its debut with a 12 fret body, an X-braced Adirondack spruce soundboard, and a Honduras mahogany body and neck. By 1933, the sunburst finish and tortoiseshell pickguard made their appearance, and in 1937, the model was offered in a configuration for lap-style playing. Dubbed the HG-00, this guitar was fitted with a wider neck for Hawaiian style play, and revived the longer 12 fret body of the earliest L-00 models. Built only until 1942, the H-00 has been particularly sought after by players desiring a more generous string spacing, for both fingerstyle and pick-style play.
This fine example is featherweight in construction, tipping the scale at a phenomenal 3lb 8oz. With its tall skinny X-braces, stiff resonant soundboard, and elongated body, this distinctive guitar combines compact size with jumbo guitar projection and sustain. The deep Cremona sunburst finish and original firestripe pickguard are lovely prewar touches, along with the silk-screened Gibson logo in the peghead.
Professionally converted to conventional flat top specs, the original high Hawaiian nut has been replaced with a standard bone nut, and a precision compensated bone saddle in a Brazilian rosewood base identical in size and shape to the original. Several grainline top cracks have been carefully cleated and resealed, the neck professionally reset and refinished, and the peghead fitted with handsome Waverly tuners with grained ivoroid buttons.
The wide 1 7/8" nut makes this instrument ideal for the classical player, or others desiring a familiar neck on a highly responsive steel string guitar. The original round neck retains its traditional full C profile, with smooth low action over fine original fretwork, and a fresh high-precision setup.
A rediscovered classic, these guitars have proved so popular that Collings has introduced their own tribute to this classic model. A scarce and unique guitar, this original H-00 combines exceptional tone and playability in one rare prewar model. Call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge phosphor bronze strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings.
