1926 Gibson L-1 Flat Top

$3,350.00

  • Year: 1926
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: L-1 Flat Top
  • Case: Original Hard
  • Color: Natural
  • Condition: Very Good
  • Description:
    Early 1926 (8433 FON) Very interesting rare and historically significant example of Gibson's first full line flat top guitar, the L1. This particular instrument has an A braced spruce top and actually built on a non bound or braced carved-back body of the earlier L-1 arch top, and is certainly one of the first flat-topped L1's ever made. (One can only assume they didn't want to waste those hand carved birch pieces left over after the model changed to a flat top, wacky but typically Gibson). The neck is a nice thin oval C shape, and very comfortable. Currently the only authentic (non refinished-crack free) example of one of these on the market at this time. Over all length is 37 ½", 13 ¾" wide at the lower bout and 4" depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 ¼". Action is 4-4 at the 12th on the non radiused fret board with proper string break over the saddle. Width of ebony nut is ~ 1 3/4". Bound top and sound hole with the very rare two sets of inlaid stripe rings. Well played and very original including finish, crack free top, back and sides. Recent pro neck set and select fret replacement. Impeccable luthier work. Action is perfect for finger style play. Original 3 on a strip tuners. New bone saddle and old growth ebony replica pyramid bridge. The original bridges on these are very fragile at the slot. The new bridge, fully authentic in look, has a meatier slot thus allowing for another 80 years of worry free tuning. Ebony fret board with MOP markers at the 5th, 7th and 9th frets. Lots of honest pick wear and its sound is wonderful, even breathtaking! Will make you weep with every country blues lick or just staring at that honest pick rash will cause you to cry!
    Set up by experienced pros with no excuses. Comes in its original black arch top style hard shell case as seen in catalog photos in the book Gibson's Fabulous Flattops.
    (case alone valued at 1K)
    See it played.