Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Guitars, SOLD
| Comments | Gibson introduced the L-7 in 1932 as a less expensive, working musician’s alternative to the fairly expensive L-5, with a smaller body width of 16 inches. In 1935, it grew up to its full size of 17 inches and shifted to an X-brace on the top; the X brace was discontinued in 1939 in favour of the traditional longitudinal bar brace system.
This 1934 Gibson L-7 archtop acoustic is in good playing condition, and shows clear signs of having been used as intended. It has the original 16 inch size, longitudinal tone bar bracing and squared trapeze tailpiece, but has the 1935 style vase and cirlique peghead inlay. The original open Grover tuners have been replaced with more modern Grover Deluxe tuners, which have a lot of the Kluson style. Also included is a DeArmond FHC ‘Guitar Mike” sliding pickup with volume control. These pickups were introduced in the 1930’s and were commonly referred to as ‘monkey on a stick’ pickups, a reference to a popular child’s toy. It clamps to the strings between the bridge and tailpiece, with the bar going along the bass strings. This pickup design introduced the grounding system used by the vast majority of pickups today (pretty much everything except active pickups) where the ground is established through the strings to the player. |
| Serial Number | Serial number on the label is covered, but this guitar dates to 1934 and was built in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. |
| Pricing | $3,500 CAD with original case. |
| Neck | V-profile mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard. Headstock inlays in mother of pearl – Gibson script logo and flowerpot designs. Mother of pearl inlays |
| Frets | Well worn frets, but lots of playing time left. |
| Body | Classic Gibson 16 inch L-size body, used only between 1932 and 1934; carved spruce top with narrow F-holes, maple sides, carved maple back. Long ago, a crack on the lower bass side was repaired. |
| Finish | Nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst finish. There is the expected amount of wear for an instrument of this age. |
| Hardware/electronics | Reproduction pickguard, replacement nickel plated Grover Deluxe tuners with metal knobs, strap pin on end of heel, ebony bridge. Nickel trapeze tailpiece. deArmond FHC sliding pickup is included in the case; this pickup attaches to the section of strings behind the bridge. |
| Playability/Action | Plays quite well; the neck set is good and there’s still room for adjustments. |
| Case | Original case included – black archtop hardshell with purple lining. |
- Model: L-7
- Year: 1934
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: Not Visible, built 1943 in Kalamazoo Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Brand New
- Date Posted: 28/08/2013
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original None case
- Instrument Weight: 6.292lbs 2.86kg
- Scale Length: 25.5in 647.7mm
- Nut Width: 1.75in 44.45mm
