Gibson LG-2 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar , c. 1946

Gibson  LG-2 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar ,  c. 1946
Loading
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 8720
Prices subject to change without notice.
Gibson LG-2 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1946, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.

This is a beautiful early post-war example of the LG-2, Gibson's most popular smaller body flat-top guitar model from the 1940s and '50s. The typical features include a deep sunburst top finish, small tortoise celluloid pickguard, small rectangle bridge, triple-bound top, and single-bound back. The headstock "Gibson" logo is still the wartime gold script but without the "banner" decoration below it, with WWII pattern Kluson tuners still fitted. The neck has a lovely round-backed "C" profile, somewhat slimmer than the thick wartime "baseball bat" style and very comfortable. This is a smooth and versatile guitar; a fine example of Gibson's finest post-war flat-top period.
 
Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/2 in. (11.4 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 guitar is for the most part exceptionally clean and appears to have been only carefully played since new, which is kind of amazing considering it is over 70 years old! The finish is still shiny with the original deep color and patina and shows mostly just very small dings, scuffs, and other marks. At some point a vinyl strap (or something similar) was left in the case in contact with the finish, resulting in several areas of rash-like disturbance, colloquially referred to as "strap burn". This is most noticeable on the back, and to a lesser extent the lower side below the strap button.

There is one small repaired mahogany grain crack on the back. The endpin has been replaced, but otherwise everything looks original. This guitar has had a very clean neck set and refret -- perhaps it survived the decades so nicely at least partially because the neck angle was not great when it was made! It is now an excellent player with a very full sound, even and powerful in equal measure. It is still housed in its original 1940s chipboard case, which remains intact and functional. Despite its minor cosmetic flaws, this is one of the nicest LG-2s we have had; a perfect combination of looks, sound, and vibe. Overall Excellent Condition.