Gibson LG-2 3/4 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957)

Gibson  LG-2 3/4 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1957)
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Item # 9473
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Gibson LG-2 3/4 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # U1330-35, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

OK, vintage Gibsons just don't come much cuter than this! The diminutive 3/4 LG-2 was the company's equivalent to Martin's 5-18 and although created for the burgeoning student market of the 1950s is still built to the standards of a fully professional quality guitar. The narrow-waisted curvy body form was actually handed down from Gibson's late 1920s TG series tenor guitars, and is not actually similar at all to the broader-waist LG design of the 1940s.

While designated as the LG-2 3/4, this model is built with a ladder-braced top like the LG-1; presumably Gibson decided a top this small didn't merit the full X-braced treatment. Although originally student priced, these very small instruments were made in far smaller numbers than their full-sized siblings; less than 300 of this model left the factory in 1957. Despite its small size, this is a great-playing guitar with a bright and very punchy sound and an super find for anyone who likes a short scale, small-bodied flat-top.
 
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 15/16 in. (10 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 22 3/4 in. (578 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).

This guitar is VERY clean and all original, except the tuners which are the correct style strip Kluson Deluxe that are slightly later and have metal buttons instead of the expected plastic. There is some very light scuffing and dings, and the back shows a large area of dents into but not through the lacquer. The instrument shows a rich patina to the still-shiny finish with hardly any fading or checking.

Although this guitar shows very little play were there are a few repaired cracks; one just at the top edge of the pickguard, one just below and a small spot on the rim down by the endpin with a bit of visible finish patching. There is one sealed grain crack on the lower back. The neck has been very cleanly reset and playability is excellent. Overall this is a really sweet example of Gibson's elegant little student flat-top model from the '50s, complete with a well-fitted recent TKL HSC Excellent Condition.