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1948 Gibson L-7
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Serial #: A-2364, white oval label
Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .86/.96, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Solid handcarved figured maple back and neck; quartersawn bookmatched solid carved spruce top; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, split-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlays and "crown" headstock inlay; pearl Gibson peghead logo, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock, bone nut.
Hardware: Original adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, adjustable truss rod, nickel pickguard bracket. Vintage correct hardware includes aged 5-ply beveled pickguard, chrome trapeze tailpiece, vintage nickel Gibson Kluson Deluxe tuners.
Notes: Introduced in 1932, the Gibson L-7 was Gibson's most popular professional sized archtop, and the last noncutaway example rolled off the line in 1955. Identical in all but cosmetics to the costly L-5, the L-7 has been highly prized by working players ever since for it's warmth, projection and playability.
A handsome original example, this guitar was built in the first full year for the modern Gibson script logo. It combines the clear, open voice of a well seasoned spruce soundboard with a handsome carved bubble maple back, and tiger flame maple neck. The body features a subtly feathered classic sunburst finish remarkably free of pick or buckle wear. Some smooth thumbwear is a sure sign of its long playing career, along with some scattered finish nicks, and some arm wear on the lower bass side.
Remarkably lightweight, the guitar tips the scales at just 5lb. 6oz. and rests nimbly on the lap or the strap. Neck angle and bridge height are both excellent, all binding is original and tight to the body, and the classic full C profile neck has smooth low action over fine pro fretwork, with a fresh high-precision setup. Open and well balanced, the guitar has the deeply resonant voice of a finely aged soundboard, with exceptional clarity, projection and punch.
Complete with its original arched brown Gibson plush lined hardshell case, this L-7 is the perennial best buy in a professional sized Gibson acoustic archtop. Peerless performance, at an unbeatable price for the practical player. One only: call now.
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.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze 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.
