The oj and aj were copied from burnettes guitars, the l 00 belonged to parnell and the j45 they copied belonged to e. Shop for the gibson l00 standard acousticelectric guitar and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price. Gibson 1942 l00 vintage acoustic guitar sunburst guitar showcase. Once you get used to the lg2s barking midrange, other guitars seem to be missing something. It sounds right at home for jazz, fingerstyle blues or ragtime. Gibsons experimental archtop vintage guitar magazine. The gibson l00 standard acoustic guitar is descended from gibsons legendary 1932 l00. I keep on looking in this little book for informations i didnt catch when i first read it from the start, keep looking at the wonderful collection of pictures of l5s, old advertisements and pictures from catalogs. It progressively got wider until about late 1935 or 1936. Feb 07, 2014 its interesting how gibson widened their sunburst along the years. Gibson acoustic l00 standard vintage sunburst sweetwater. These guitars have a relatively smaller body than the dreadnoughts and jumbos that appeared later in history. May 12, 2019 the gibson manufacturing corporation, longmont, colorado, was founded in march, 1946 by wilber gibson. The l series is very difficult to properly identify and date as they were inconsistent in their appointments and the catalog descriptions do not always agree with the actual instruments produced.
The guitar dater project gibson serial number decoder. In 1993, gibson made a special variant of l00 or nick lucas model, namely l20 special. So perfectly balanced that the l 00 has unparalleled projection not found in comparable small body guitars. The gibson acoustic l00 studio rosewood is descended from gibson s legendary 1932 l00. The 2016 l 00 standard captures the heritage of those exemplary early models. The l 00 is my favorite small body gibson i have owned two mid1930s l 00s. Same as martin did, they used one particular guitar to copy. Whether you think of it as a parlor guitar or a blues box, the easyplaying l00 studio is perfect for recording and acoustic jams. These guitars have a relatively smaller body than the. The gibson serial number decoder currently supports 6 formats from 4 factories. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars.
For updates on what gibson is doing about covid19, click here. The legendary gibson small body with a full j45 sound. Much of the hummingbirds appeal lies in its versatility. The gibson l series is a series of smallbody guitars produced and sold by gibson guitar. Olympic model, gibson never again ventured below 14 3 4. Some of the earliest examples featured a white pickguard and a black finish, though a sunburst finish and tortoiseshell pickguard became the norm by the mid30s the black version was phased out by 1938. Gibson acoustic l00 studio rosewood rosewood burst. The l00 standard beautifully captures the heritage of those exemplary early models. Robert johnson l1 flattop style 19261929 and, later l 00 style 19301945. It appears to be all original and everything is in perfect order with great playability up the entire fingerboard. Gibson l0 or l 00 gibson l0 19261945 body shapes had two variations.
May 28, 20 gibsons lbody guitars are among the companys most famous, even if the nomenclature used for these models never fails to confuse. The gibson l series is a series of smallbody guitars produced and sold by gibson guitar corporation in the early 20th century. The earliest examples also had a 12fret clear of the body fingerboard. In 1993, gibson made a special variant of l 00 or nick lucas model, namely l20 special. Tell me more about old l00s gibson acoustic gibson. If the ink stamped number consists of 5 digits, there will be a space between the first and second numbers separating the last digit of the year from the actual serial number. All models, decal, 2 digit prefix followed by 6 digits. When it came into the workshop for renovation work it had been set up and used as a slide guitar with a high nut and bridge and a trapeze style tailpiece. Here were looking at a gibson robert johnson l1 sunburst guitar, dated to january 11 2005 at the gibson acoustics shop in bozeman, montana under supervision of master luthier ren ferguson. Whether you think of it as a parlor guitar or a blues.
The loo legend is a direct copy of lee roy parnells 1937 loo, supposedly in every detail, although mine has a gold logo rather than a white logo. Gibson was born in 1856 on a farm near the small town of in chateaugay, new york. Prefix year 99 1975 00 1976 06 1977 1976 gibson serial number with 00 prefix. A very informative book for lovers of jazz guitars, or to be more eksact for gibson jazzguitar freaks. Discover book depositorys huge selection of james gibson books online. In 1929 all the others had the same footprint as the new reissue i would be amazed if the two l 2 batches were not the same.
Gibson used, 1933 model l00 guitar mandolin brothers, ltd. The l series was later gradually replaced by the lg series in the 1940s. Here is a slice of history for you you check out, a 1942 gibson l00. This 1939 gibson l00 is no museum piece and thats a compliment.
The first year of gibson solidbodies was 1952, and gibson didnt use any serial number in 1952. How to date a gibson using serial numbers, fons and reverb news. Find your next favorite new, used, or vintage instrumentor sell one of your own. One dime blues blind lemon jefferson zoom q3hd vintage. They could generally be categorized into the grand concert b. The gibson l series is a series of smallbody guitars produced and sold by. Overtones are rich and nicely developed throughout the guitars entire register, which adds a lovely but subtle dark and smoky side to this otherwise quite powerful and forward l 00. The gibson l00, l0, l1 and l2 are all very similar models. Join millions of music makers all over the world on reverb. The l00 was the plainest, having only top body binding in its original incarnation. Gibson filled the vacated spot with a pair of cheaper 14 3 4. This model is rarely seen after 1942, since the lg series of guitars largely replaced the l 00.
Heres the flow rag as done by roy bookbinder on the old gibson l 00. The genius of the gibson acoustic l00 studio is in the details. A smallbody with the full gibson sound developed in the 30s, the l00 was an industry standard for many years. The 2016 edition brings with it modern improvements that blend into the guitars classic design, including the use of composite material for the nut and saddle, and the switch to lr baggs electronics.
Gibson l 00 guitar gibson l0 guitar gibson l1 guitar gibson l2 guitar. They pack more sound and the full palette of tonal color into their relatively small 14. Original gibson hsc for 1928 gibson acoustic archtop l 4 guitar. Gibson l00 guitar gibson l00 guitar info, l0 l1 l2. Orvilles father, was an immigrant of england and his mother amy was from peru, new york. Shop for the gibson l00 sustainable acousticelectric guitar and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price. The first guitars of this series, gibson l0 and gibson l1, were introduced first as archtops, and later as flat tops in 1926. Gibson l00 guitar gibson l0 guitar gibson l1 guitar gibson l2. On the lgs i would stick to those made no later than 1959. Note the difference in the late 30s fingerboard and headstock inlays from the 40s crown and parallelogram inlays.
A few l 00 models made with only a gibson is good enough banner peghead logo on the narrow 1930s style peghead. L 00 s feel like more sensitive instruments to me, while every lg2 ive owned, over a dozen like to be played hard and are about the most perfectly balanced instruments ive come across. Blue book of acoustic guitars gibson acoustic and acousticelectric guitars. The first guitars of this series, gibson l0 and gibson l1, were introduced first as archtops 1902, and later as flat tops in 1926. Gibson l00 guitar gibson l00 guitar info, l0 l1 l2 flat. The l 00 was a flattop produced by gibson starting in the early 30s. While most of the instruments featured in this space are highend, often elaborately ornamented models that were expensive when new and command high prices today as collectible, the l 00 was the leastexpensive guitar offered by gibson when it was introduced in the marchapril, 1931. This new function will try to match the serial number against older formats, details required for an exact match are listed in yellow. The gibson l00, l0, l1 and l2 are all very similar models, with the only differences being small cosmetics. Starting in 1953, the first number is the last number of the year.
Gibson l00 sustainable acousticelectric guitar antique natural. Gibsons small lbodies are essentially what we would call a 00, and in gibsons world, the double oh designation refers to its relative level of glitz, rather than its size. Believe or not the little masterbuilt epiphone blues master is a fine guitar for not alot of bread. It was the working musicians descendant of the l5s jazz solidbody electric guitar. I was astounded at all the history documented in this and not all of it good. The first guitars of this series, gibson l 0 and gibson l 1, were introduced first as archtops 1902, and later as flat tops in 1926. The gibson l 00 with factory work order number 467. Its spacious mahogany body and sweet, select sitka spruce top are more than. Another historic gone wrong page 2 gibson acoustic. Starting in 1961, gibson implemented a new serialization system designed to cover its entire lineup. Sep 23, 2016 early gibson solidbody electrics received a serial stamp on the back of the headstock, with the first number indicating the year of production. The serial number on this les paul junior indicates that it was made in 1956. Please post any comments, particularly bugs in the user feedback. No matter how you attack this flattop, it pumps out rich, deep tones, and is equally at home strumming firstposition chords as it is taking the spotlight for picking lead lines.
Its difficult to decipher gibsons numbering system, but referring to joe spanns book on gibson factory order numbers. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson. The same is true for the two ltd edition from 20 the 34 oj and 35 aj. The company was formerly known as gibson guitar corporation and renamed gibson brands, inc. Gibson l 00 standard gibson just released their 2016 lineup of updated instruments, and thankfully the l 00 standard parlor guitar is part of it. The consummate mid 1930s gibson l 00, this amazing instrument has great projection with classic gibson articulation and punch in the mid range. Oct 17, 20 during that time period, the l 0, l 1, and nick lucas all had the same footprint, and during most of its life 2931, the l 2 had the same footprint but different depth as the lucas. Gibson prewar guitars, kevin mark designs gibson 1941 l7. Gibson l00 standard acousticelectric guitar vintage sunburst. The very first 14frets l00 in 1933 featured a small sunburst, where most of the body was black, and only the area above the bridge was colorsprayed. Gibson l 00, gibson l0, gibson l1, gibson l2 flat top guitars available. Details like the solid sitka spruce top that delivers superior vintageinspired tone and appearance.
The top is spruce while the neck and body are mahogany. This example laid before you is a surprisingly clean and original example of the prewar gibson l00 flattop small body guitar. With perfect balance, the l00 has unparalleled projection not found in comparable small body guitars. Gibson acoustic l00 studio walnut burst sweetwater. Built like an early 1930s l1, this guitar features a scallopbraced sitka spruce top, with mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. Heres a wonderfully preserved 1939 gibson l 30 archtop. It was the same shape, very much like a wide gibson les paul, but with a 24fret twooctave neck, the first gibson guitar to have this. For guitars made prior to 1977 use the extended search function. Jan 12, 2010 heres the flow rag as done by roy bookbinder on the old gibson l 00. If you are a gibson acoustic fan and owner, this is about the best book you can own. This is your straightforward gibson l00 from the late 30s, having the gibson logo white silkscreened headstock logo, the brazilian rosewood fingerboard with the 7 mother of pearl dotmarkers, the whiteblackwhite rings around the central soundhole which port measures exactly 4 in diameter, the impressionistic sparrowshaped fire.
The seattle plant had made specially built rail cars and had begun experimentation with tractors. This company was an offshoot of the original company which had been formed by wilbers father, harry gibson, at seattle, washington. Prewar gibson grand concert l00 guitars are legendary. Specifications for the l00 were given as striking black top bound with white ivoroid, mahogany back, rim and neck with the same body shape and 1434. Gibson acoustic l 00 sustainable antique natural 6string acousticelectric guitar with sitka spruce top, north american walnut back and sides, mahogany neck, richlite fingerboard, and lr baggs vtc electronics antique natural.