DESCRIPTION:
This spectacular guitar is a Gibson L-1 Archtop guitar built around 1918 at Kalamazoo, Michigan and is in excellent and nearly all original condition, though incomplete: the original pickguard is missing. It appears that the trapeze tailpiece was modified some time ago - the style seen here was used from at least 1912, but this one is stamped 'Patented July 1919'. The case is original though its handle broke off and a new part buckled on. This wonderful piece plays very well and sounds good, with great projection.
Introduced in 1902 and built to 1925 (then from 1926 to 1937 as a flat-top), the Gibson L-1 started as a 13.5 inch wide, medium sized arched top model. The later L-1 flat-top version was popular with blues artists from the late 1920's in to the 1930's and some of the few photos of Robert Johnson show him with an L-1.
While the serial number of 46178 on the label and FON (Factory Order Number) of 11118 on the neck block place this guitar to 1918, it's been previously identified as being both a 1912 and 1914 model while 1997 email correspondence with Gibson suggested 1918. The confusion may rise from 1912 - 1913 models having no pickguard, however there is a pin hole drilled in the end of the treble-side neck binding and another plugged hole through the treble end of the bridge for a pickguard supports. These pickguards were single-layer celluloid with a pair of brackets that 'clamped' the pickguard to the top on either side of the waist. There are two small marks in the back finish where those clamps would have rested. In 1918, the orange top received a dark 'Sheraton Brown' finish, so if this is a 1918 model, it's likely from earlier in the year.
The carved top is Adirondack Spruce with its characteristic wide grain, the sides, back, body blocks and neck are Mahogany with Ebony for the fingerboard, bridge and head plate.
The script 'The Gibson' headstock inlay and dot position markers are Mother of Pearl. There is a celluloid Faux Tortoise pin bar on the tailpiece.
The neck has 13 frets to the body and a Big FATV profile. It is comfortable to play, the action height is good....
