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1939 Gibson L-50

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SN#: EG-2129, stamped on peghead

Body size at lower bout: 14 3/4" Body depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .89/1.01, 1st/10th frets

Materials: Solid carved spruce top; solid carved maple back and sides; one-piece mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, single-bound body.

Hardware: 100% original nickel hardware includes Kluson open back tuners, raised-diamond trapeze tailpiece, contoured red swirl tortoise celluloid pickguard, adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, adjustable truss rod.

Notes: Gibson's most popular acoustic archtop, the L-50 was introduced in 1932. Its 14 3/4" body was upsized to 16" in 1935, and this perennial favorite remained in the catalog until 1971. With its compact body and 24 3/4" scale, the L-50 retained the same dimensions as the original Loar-era L-5, and its solid carved soundboard put it a cut above the laminate mass market archtops of the time.

Unlike postwar examples with plywood backs, this fine prewar guitar was built with a solid carved maple back, finished in a deep walnut stain. This handsome example has a solid carved spruce soundboard, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and a one-piece mahogany neck. All-original nickel hardware includes the contoured tortoise pickguard, nickel trapeze tailpiece, Kluson open back tuners, adjustable truss rod, ebony and adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge.

Nicely maintained, the guitar shows no apparent cracks, and the dark Cremona sunburst finish is all original. Subtly shaded from rim to rim, the vintage nitro lacquer shows a bit of light pick wear near the fingerboard, and traces of buckle worming on the deep walnut finish on the back. The fingerboard has smooth low action with a fresh high-precision setup over fine original fretwork, a generous 1 3/4" nut, and a comfy prewar V profile neck.

Weighing in at a phenomenal 4lb. 7oz, the guitar is a delight to hold, and elegantly balanced on the lap or the strap. With the fine, clear voice of a classic prewar Gibson, the guitar has excellent focus, rich natural reverb, and projection many larger guitars would envy. Highly versatile for a wide variety of styles, and complete with its original arched black Gibson 'red-line' plush lined hardshell case, this compact powerhouse is an unbeatable value in a top-quality archtop from the Golden Era. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted as required; 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; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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