1930 Gibson L-0

 

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1930
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: L-0
  • Case: Original Soft
  • Color:
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: SOLD!!! FON #281, 9767. The first modern Gibson flattop guitars - those which featured X-braced tops with pin bridges, larger body sizes, and modern-shaped necks - were the redesigned L-0 and L-1 instruments introduced in the very early 1930's. These were the first instruments with the now-familiar 14 3/4" wide body commonly referred to as the L-00 shape. Prior to these, Gibson flat-tops were small-bodied, H-braced, 12 fret guitars with huge necks and thumpy voices. The guitar pictured here dates from 1930 or '31. It is among the earliest X-braced Gibsons built and is remarkably lightweight and resonant. It is very different from the L-00's and L-0's built from 1933 onwards, and represents a period of great change at Gibson. The body is completely Mahogany, bound in white celluloid and features a very thin lacquer finish. The braces are tall and thin and unscalloped, and the bridge plate is flat-sawn maple; and very small. The 12 fret truss-rodded Mahogany neck has a shallow C profile, with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard that is very thin. This thin fingerboard (similar in thickness to those found on Fender® Electrics of the early 60's) is factory original; other L-0's from this period have been documented with such boards. The nut is 1 23/32" wide. "The Gibson" silver silk-screened logo, original three-on-a-plate tuners with their original buttons. The Brazilian rosewood bridge has been shaved and the saddle position shifted back a 16th of an inch for proper intonation. The ebony bridge pins are original, the bone saddle is not. The action is on the high side at 7/64ths under the high E and 1/8th under the low E. With the exception of the saddle and one well-repaired back crack this instrument is completely original and in remarkably well-preserved condition. It plays nicely and is currently set up with light gauge strings. As with most feather-weight guitars, this guitar performs best under a light touch. It has very robust almost classical-guitar like trebles and a very open and woody middle to low register. With original semi-hard shell case