Gibson L-50 Arch Top Acoustic Guitar , c. 1944
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Gibson L-50 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1944, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, Spruce top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, brown hard shell case.
This "Banner" Gibson L-50 -- so called for the decal on the headstock reading "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" was built during the Second World War when the company's output was severely limited. Only two carved top guitars were built and in only limited quantities; the mid-line L-7 and this more budget oriented L-50. While most historical interest has been aimed at the flat tops Gibson produced in this period, the relatively rare arch top instruments are also excellent instruments.
The L-50 was considered a low-midline instrument in the 1930s-40s. After a couple of false starts in the earlier 1930s with smaller bodied designs, by 1938 the L-50 had emerged as a fairly affordable Gibson carved top guitar suitable for students, but also suited to more advanced players on a budget. This L-50 is a 16" mid-sized carved top guitar with plain trim, but built with excellent materials and impeccable craftsmanship.
In this period the specifications of individual instruments often vary greatly from the published standards; Gibson was short of materials and struggling under wartime restrictions. This L-50 retains the standard pre-war specs of the model with a carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple rims. The body is single-bound top and back, with a sunburst top and dark stained back and sides. It is equipped with the standard adjustable rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece and elevated tortoise Celluloid pickguard.
The chunky round-profile one piece mahogany neck has the standard adjustable truss rod, often deleted from wartime models as metal was severely rationed. The unbound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, while the headstock features decals of the gold Gibson script and the titular "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" banner. The tuners are individual slim flat-plate riveted Klusons specific to the period, cleverly designed to use the minimum of metal.
Today "Banner" flat tops have a stellar reputation for their unique tone and character, and are highly sought after by discerning players. This fully carved L-50 is relatively unsung; plain to look at but also a very fine instrument, one of the best sounding and playing of this admittedly modest model we have ever had.
Overall length is 40 1/4 in. (102.2 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This is a nicely well-preserved guitar, really about as clean as we usually expect to see WWII-era Gibsons these days. The original finish shows small dings and dents to the finish and some light checking overall. The back of the neck has just a bit of wear. The original frets have been crowned down a bit showing no subsequent wear.
The guitar shows no notable damage or repair and remains all original except possibly the tailpiece, which is the correct style but has a nickel top piece and chrome baseplate, probably replaced along the way. The guitar plays very well and has a big sound, perhaps not as sophisticated as the fancier Gibson arch-tops but with a charm all its own. It includes an original period correct HSC that seems a bit upscale for the guitar but may well have been with it since the beginning. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This "Banner" Gibson L-50 -- so called for the decal on the headstock reading "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" was built during the Second World War when the company's output was severely limited. Only two carved top guitars were built and in only limited quantities; the mid-line L-7 and this more budget oriented L-50. While most historical interest has been aimed at the flat tops Gibson produced in this period, the relatively rare arch top instruments are also excellent instruments.
The L-50 was considered a low-midline instrument in the 1930s-40s. After a couple of false starts in the earlier 1930s with smaller bodied designs, by 1938 the L-50 had emerged as a fairly affordable Gibson carved top guitar suitable for students, but also suited to more advanced players on a budget. This L-50 is a 16" mid-sized carved top guitar with plain trim, but built with excellent materials and impeccable craftsmanship.
In this period the specifications of individual instruments often vary greatly from the published standards; Gibson was short of materials and struggling under wartime restrictions. This L-50 retains the standard pre-war specs of the model with a carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple rims. The body is single-bound top and back, with a sunburst top and dark stained back and sides. It is equipped with the standard adjustable rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece and elevated tortoise Celluloid pickguard.
The chunky round-profile one piece mahogany neck has the standard adjustable truss rod, often deleted from wartime models as metal was severely rationed. The unbound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with pearl dots, while the headstock features decals of the gold Gibson script and the titular "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" banner. The tuners are individual slim flat-plate riveted Klusons specific to the period, cleverly designed to use the minimum of metal.
Today "Banner" flat tops have a stellar reputation for their unique tone and character, and are highly sought after by discerning players. This fully carved L-50 is relatively unsung; plain to look at but also a very fine instrument, one of the best sounding and playing of this admittedly modest model we have ever had.
Overall length is 40 1/4 in. (102.2 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This is a nicely well-preserved guitar, really about as clean as we usually expect to see WWII-era Gibsons these days. The original finish shows small dings and dents to the finish and some light checking overall. The back of the neck has just a bit of wear. The original frets have been crowned down a bit showing no subsequent wear.
The guitar shows no notable damage or repair and remains all original except possibly the tailpiece, which is the correct style but has a nickel top piece and chrome baseplate, probably replaced along the way. The guitar plays very well and has a big sound, perhaps not as sophisticated as the fancier Gibson arch-tops but with a charm all its own. It includes an original period correct HSC that seems a bit upscale for the guitar but may well have been with it since the beginning. Overall Excellent - Condition.