Gibson L-0 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1933)
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Gibson L-0 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1933), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 392, natural mahogany finish, mahogany body and neck, ebonized fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This instrument is very unusual transitional example of a rare Gibson flat-top produced only for a brief period from late 1929 into 1933. This all-mahogany, X-braced L-0 dates to the very beginning of 1933 and would be one of the first examples of the new 14-fret format combining features from earlier and later eras. In this worst period of the depression, Gibson was casting around for ideas to stay afloat and this relatively inexpensive flat top was a lifeline for the struggling company.
The most notable difference from previous models is a 14-fret neck joint; by 1932 both Gibson and Martin were moving to adopt this as the new standard for flat tops. In contrast the all-mahogany body is something Gibson soon abandoned; L-0 models from 1933 on were built with spruce tops. This one also has a very rare quirk, the fingerboard elevated off the top like an arch-top guitar. Gibson inexplicably did this on a limited number of flat top guitars just in this period, the reason its lost to history.
With a clear natural dark mahogany finish and white celluloid accents, this L-0 maintains an austere but elegant 1920s look on the more "modern" larger body of a 1930s flat-top guitar. This one also has a very early example of the tortoise celluloid pickguard Gibson would use through the 1930s, but not in the "firestripe" pattern that became a Kalamazoo trademark. Earlier models had no pickguard at all. The bridge is the standard slim rosewood rectangle fitted through the 1930s without the retaining bolts added mid-decade, over a small maple bridge plate.
The wider, less rounded body shape and X-braced top introduced on these flat top models in 1929 would be subsequently used on the L-0 and L-00 into the early 1940s. The natural lacquer finish would soon disappear in favor of sunburst or all-black liveries. This headstock sports the then brand-new white stencil "Gibson" logo used throughout the '30s in place of the earlier small silver script "The Gibson". This neck is carved in early example of the "V" profile adopted for these models after 1932, with a slimmer feel than some later versions.
All these early L-0s feature extremely light construction even compared to later 1930s examples. The mahogany top is thin and the braces are very slim and narrow, even the main X. While we are partial to all pre-WWII Gibson flat-tops, we find the all-mahogany L-0 from this period to be practically unique; an austere but particularly attractive and exceptionally responsive instrument. The exact transitional mix of features on this guitar is quite unusual; we have never had another quite like it!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This 90+ year original L-0 is extremely well preserved for an early 1930s Gibson flat tops, both structurally and cosmetically. These all-mahogany instruments in particular are *very* lightly built and many survivors are heavily worn and/or much rebuilt. This guitar has some well-executed maintenance repair but remains completely original, intact and an excellent player.
The original very thin lacquer finish has light checking and some general handling wear with small scuffs, dings and scrapes but remains far cleaner than most with hardly any of the errant pick marks on the top usually seen on older flattops. The back has scattered wear, with a some fairly random scratches but no heavy belt buckle wear. The white paint "Gibson" logo is nicely intact, the original inexpensive strip tuners are still fitted and work fine. The back of the neck has some light rub wear and one feelable soft capo dent along the spine behind the third fret.
There are no notable cracks which is kind of amazing for a guitar of this age and type. The guitar has had a neck reset with some light touch up around the heel and the area under the fingerboard extension which has painted black on both sides for some reason. There is a heel cap which is newer; either replaced or possibly simply added as most L-0's do not have one. The original bridge, small maple bridgeplate and delicate braces remain intact. The bridge has been reglued, with some very minor scarring and touch up around the base and was possibly lowered just slightly ahead of the pins.
the original frets have some very light wear in the lower positions but the guitar plays superbly with a powerful and robust sound less delicate than some. With the raised fingerboard and thin "V" profile neck this L-0 has a different character than most of this era; It feels unique and we like it a lot, another quirky wonder from Gibson's restlessly creative Depression era period. It resides in a very nice original case, a rare find in itself as it added substantially to the cost in 1933! Overall Excellent Condition.
This instrument is very unusual transitional example of a rare Gibson flat-top produced only for a brief period from late 1929 into 1933. This all-mahogany, X-braced L-0 dates to the very beginning of 1933 and would be one of the first examples of the new 14-fret format combining features from earlier and later eras. In this worst period of the depression, Gibson was casting around for ideas to stay afloat and this relatively inexpensive flat top was a lifeline for the struggling company.
The most notable difference from previous models is a 14-fret neck joint; by 1932 both Gibson and Martin were moving to adopt this as the new standard for flat tops. In contrast the all-mahogany body is something Gibson soon abandoned; L-0 models from 1933 on were built with spruce tops. This one also has a very rare quirk, the fingerboard elevated off the top like an arch-top guitar. Gibson inexplicably did this on a limited number of flat top guitars just in this period, the reason its lost to history.
With a clear natural dark mahogany finish and white celluloid accents, this L-0 maintains an austere but elegant 1920s look on the more "modern" larger body of a 1930s flat-top guitar. This one also has a very early example of the tortoise celluloid pickguard Gibson would use through the 1930s, but not in the "firestripe" pattern that became a Kalamazoo trademark. Earlier models had no pickguard at all. The bridge is the standard slim rosewood rectangle fitted through the 1930s without the retaining bolts added mid-decade, over a small maple bridge plate.
The wider, less rounded body shape and X-braced top introduced on these flat top models in 1929 would be subsequently used on the L-0 and L-00 into the early 1940s. The natural lacquer finish would soon disappear in favor of sunburst or all-black liveries. This headstock sports the then brand-new white stencil "Gibson" logo used throughout the '30s in place of the earlier small silver script "The Gibson". This neck is carved in early example of the "V" profile adopted for these models after 1932, with a slimmer feel than some later versions.
All these early L-0s feature extremely light construction even compared to later 1930s examples. The mahogany top is thin and the braces are very slim and narrow, even the main X. While we are partial to all pre-WWII Gibson flat-tops, we find the all-mahogany L-0 from this period to be practically unique; an austere but particularly attractive and exceptionally responsive instrument. The exact transitional mix of features on this guitar is quite unusual; we have never had another quite like it!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This 90+ year original L-0 is extremely well preserved for an early 1930s Gibson flat tops, both structurally and cosmetically. These all-mahogany instruments in particular are *very* lightly built and many survivors are heavily worn and/or much rebuilt. This guitar has some well-executed maintenance repair but remains completely original, intact and an excellent player.
The original very thin lacquer finish has light checking and some general handling wear with small scuffs, dings and scrapes but remains far cleaner than most with hardly any of the errant pick marks on the top usually seen on older flattops. The back has scattered wear, with a some fairly random scratches but no heavy belt buckle wear. The white paint "Gibson" logo is nicely intact, the original inexpensive strip tuners are still fitted and work fine. The back of the neck has some light rub wear and one feelable soft capo dent along the spine behind the third fret.
There are no notable cracks which is kind of amazing for a guitar of this age and type. The guitar has had a neck reset with some light touch up around the heel and the area under the fingerboard extension which has painted black on both sides for some reason. There is a heel cap which is newer; either replaced or possibly simply added as most L-0's do not have one. The original bridge, small maple bridgeplate and delicate braces remain intact. The bridge has been reglued, with some very minor scarring and touch up around the base and was possibly lowered just slightly ahead of the pins.
the original frets have some very light wear in the lower positions but the guitar plays superbly with a powerful and robust sound less delicate than some. With the raised fingerboard and thin "V" profile neck this L-0 has a different character than most of this era; It feels unique and we like it a lot, another quirky wonder from Gibson's restlessly creative Depression era period. It resides in a very nice original case, a rare find in itself as it added substantially to the cost in 1933! Overall Excellent Condition.