1936 Carson Robison L-00 by Gibson X-Braced

FON 314B. Carson Robison branded L-00-sized guitar made by Gibson and sold through the Montgomery Ward catalog in the Great Depression. Like the Kalamazoo KG-14, it’s a pared down L-00 intended for an entry-level or more price sensitive customer. Like the L-00, they were lightly constructed with mahogany back and sides, red spruce top, rosewood bridge and fingerboard, three-to-a-strip tuners and mahogany neck with peaked headstock. There is no truss rod or rosette. The top is bound in white plastic and the sound hole is edged in the same material. There is a short Kalamazoo style pickguard. Originally ladder-braced, this one has been expertly converted to an X-brace top by David Sheppard with small maple bridge plate and two tone bars. The bracing and tone bars are scalloped. It has a very nice bluesy voice and more overtones and volume than the ladder braced rigs. We were able to convert this one before the inevitable distortion to the top that is the unlucky hallmark of many ladder braced rigs. It’s in excellent condition – with original finish with light checking, only a few handling dings and minimal touchups from the back being off. It plays very smoothly with medium low action (about 8/64th on the bass side). There is nice string break over the saddle but I would not take it down any lower. The frets are original. There is little playwear anywhere. This sat on the stand in my house for years. My son and I have really enjoyed playing it but it belongs to the shop and it’s time to move on. Comes with a chipboard case but I can order in a guardian L-00 case for a little extra.

Top: Adirondack Spruce
Band & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Dot position markers, white top binding
Nut width: 1-3/4”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-7/8”
Depth: 4-5/16”
Scale length: 24.5”
Case: SSC