1951 Gibson LG-2 3/4 Arlo Guthrie Sunburst
Gibson introduced the LG-2 in 1942 as a kind of junior partner to the famous J-45, with the same solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck (with some exceptions because of wartime shortages). It had full body binding, a simple one-stripe rosette, a straight rosewood bridge with pearl dot inlay, a 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, a blackface headstock with a screened logo and three-on-a-plate nickel tuners, and a tortoise pickguard. The LG-2’s smaller dimensions (14 1/8” lower bout, with a 24 ¾” scale) allowed Gibson to use straight-across lateral bracing on the top as well as the back, and to use a single piece mahogany back with no center seam. It was usually in a sunburst finish, and was produced at a rate of about 1000 a year until 1968. In 1947 it was followed by the LG-1, and in 1949 in much smaller numbers by the LG-2 ¾, supposedly at the instigation of Woody Guthrie as an instrument for his son Arlo--who in 1949 was two years old.
The LG-2 ¾ is even smaller (for the young Arlo?) than the LG-2, but the sound is still quite remarkable—louder than my 1964 mahogany LG-0, for example. Its actual dimensions are: length, 37”; body length, 17 1/8”; scale, 22 ¾”; nut, 1 5/8”; upper bout, 9”; waist, 7”; lower bout, 12 ¾”; and depth, 3 1/8” to 3 7/8”—basically a parlor guitar made by Gibson in a classic sunburst finish for real Gibson people. Like the rest of the LG series, it was superseded starting in 1962 by the B series, in this case the B-25 ¾ in 1968.
Although the label on this LG-2 ¾ is long gone if there ever was one, the Factory Order Number (7332 32, I think) is visible inside on the neck block, indicating that this was the 32nd guitar in batch 7332 in the year 1951—68 years ago! As with most Gibson models, a number of changes were made to the original specs over the years, but this guitar still has the original smaller tortoise pickguard and 14/19-fret fingerboard used before 1955. After more than six decades, as far as I can tell from the various vintage Gibson books, there are no non-original parts on this guitar except for the tuners; they are vintage Kluson Deluxe tuners, but the buttons at least seem just too clean to be almost as old as I am. Given the relatively little wear in the frets and fretboard, it’s possible that they have been repaired or replaced as well at some time or other, although I see no sign of any work having been done.
There is an ancient repaired 2” crunch in the treble shoulder, and it also has numerous scratches, dings, and lots of finish crazing “to let the sound out” as my luthier says. The binding is intact except for a few cracks visible in the pictures, and it is beautifully aged. The neck joint is solid and the neck is straight; the action is a bit over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, and with new strings it will really shine.
So the good news is that it’s a very unusual 1950s Gibson, in a really cool configuration, and needless to say, the aged and seasoned woods are thoroughly opened up. Everyone will recognize it for what it is: an absolutely classic guitar from the Golden Age of Gibson, perfect for play in any style at any level. This is an instrument which breathes mojo and credibility at sight and with every note, and you will play it with pride.
The black chip board case is in adequate shape, but like any standard Gibson LG case it is a bit too large for the unusually small LG-2 3/4 lower bout. Despite the obvious duct tape patch on the top, the storage compartment is intact, the handle is solid, the latches and hinges work, and it is a vintage complement to this vintage instrument. Naturally, I will insure, pack, and ship this guitar with great care, protecting it within the case as well as within the shipping box.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, but it is an unusual model and almost 70 years old and I am not an expert. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it.
Thank you for your interest in this vintage Gibson guitar.
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.