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Gibson L-4 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1927), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, red sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top and mahogany neck with ebony fingergoard, original black hard shell case.

A very interesting and unusal 1920's oval-soundhole L-4 with factory-original Grover banjo tuners, a feature specific to some high-end Gibsons from this year. This guitar is generally similar to earlier 1920's L-4's but with a wide round-backed neck in place of the earlier "V" style. Built soon after the change-back from the "snakehead" Loar-era peghead to the earlier wider style it features a straight, not slanted, "The Gibson" logo on its single-bound peghead. The soundhole is bordered with an elabotate diamond marquetry motif and the original adjustable bridge has the "turn over" saddle for Hawaiian playing seen only in the mid-1920's.

The L-4 was still a fancy high-end guitar for Gibson in this era, with only the Master Model L-5 exceeding it in price. Many early jazz greats used similar L-4's extensively including Eddie Lang and Freddy Guy. Besides being a considerable rarity, this banjo tuner L-4 is a powerful sounding guitar with a big chunky tone.
 
Overall length is 39 1/8 in. (99.4 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). All original with average light playwear overall, with some 'case lid' dings to the top and wear to the back of the neck. There is some "strap burn" to the finish on the back in the neck heel area. Top center seam has been resealed and a small cut made in the top edge of the pickguard, otherwise no repairs or alterations. Original deluxe plush-lined case in good shape with several broken latches and some general wear and tear. Excellent Condition.

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