1934 Gibson L-00 Sunburst, Good, Hard,

The Gibson L-00 was introduced in 1932 as a modestly appointed but professional grade flat-top acoustic guitar. The first L-00s bore necks with 12 frets to the body but were soon changed to 14 fret necks in late 1932. The L-00 model has been a favorite of mine ever since I started collecting vintage guitars. At less than half the going rate for its larger sibling the J-35, the L-00 is a 1930s heirloom acoustic guitar that can still be purchased to both play and collect. The standard L-00 construction was a 14 1/2″ lower bout with an X braced Adirondack Spruce top, Honduran Mahogany back and sides and a Rosewood fretboard.

This 1934 Gibson L-00 bears the tiny sunburst so common to the earlier builds in 1933 and ’34. These guitars are very lightly constructed compared to the 1936 and later guitars. This guitar has undergone professional repair to bring it back in to structurally solid, playing condition. Repairs include a neck reset, bridge plate replacement, bridge reglue, one replaced back brace, center seam splice, and a thin coat of overspray. It’s now in perfect playing condition and the tone shines against the new made reissue guitars. The light build is very evident to both the player and the audience. The guitar still retains its original parts except for the tuner bushings (machines and buttons original), one back brace, bridge plate, nut, saddle and bridge pins.

This early, small burst L-00 is ready to go back on the stage or in the studio. The work was performed by an experienced, skilled luthier (Ross Teigen – Teigen Guitars) and will be structurally sound for many years to come with proper care. The 1 3/4″ nut width and proper playing action is comfortable in the players hand.