| Comments | The Gibson Army Navy Special, Model GY, was a nearly flat-top version of the L-Jr. archtop (the top has a slight arch but is not carved) and was built between 1918 and 1921. It was targeted to American servicemen during World War 1 and intended for sale at the local PX. |
These instruments are fairly rare and have often been played, a lot – like this one. This is an interesting, quite playable, good sounding guitar with a definite history.
Serial NumberN/A, built between 1918 and 1921 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.Pricing$899 CAD with case.NeckMahogany neck with unbound ebony fingerboard. Pronounced V profile. No decoration or logos on the headstock, which however does have the characteristic Gibson ‘open-book’ design. The neck joins the body at the 13th fret. 24.25″ scale length, 1.75″ nut width.FretsThis instrument has been refretted at least once. The frets are relatively low.BodySpruce top, maple back and sides. No binding. The top is slightly arched, but is not carved. Lots of play wear on the top. 13 1/2″ wide.FinishRefinished in natural with dark stain on sides and back. The original finish was called ‘Sheraton Brown’.Hardware/electronicsOriginal bridge and period tailpiece, tners original but two buttons have been replaced with bolts.Playability/ActionPlays reasonably well and cleanly. These instruments have a period-chunky V neck profile. Currently strung with light strings, it’s very well suited to early fingerstyle tunes.Case1930’s case included.
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