1930 Gibson L-0

ARCHIVED • SOLD

1930 Gibson L-0

With its lightly-built, all-mahogany body this L-0 has that dry, resonant, cavernous tone that so many of us prize in a 12-fret Gibson flat-top. This example was built within the first year of production of Gibson’s then-new larger L-size body and features early design elements such as a feather-weight build with smaller braces and bridge plate, ‘The Gibson’ headstock logo, natural finish, and early-style bridge. The guitar is completely original with the exception of a new aged saddle made in our shop. It’s crack free and plays beautifully, too.

A remarkable sounding instrument, this L-0 is incredibly responsive to a light right hand attack. It offers depth and richness with minimal effort and is quite rewarding to a well honed pick. An excellent choice for melodic picking and fingerstyle.

The neck has a round carve and a slender feel, 1-3/4” nut width, 24.75” scale, and a string spread of 2-3/8” at the bridge. The original frets have been dressed and play quite cleanly; there are no worn areas as the guitar appears to have been played Hawaiian style. The current set-up is fingerstyle-low with an original neck angle.

This L-0 shows little playwear to its original finish and not much in the way of scratches, dents, or dings. A few top braces were reglued long before Folkway, and we’ve glued a handful of loose back brace ends more recently. Original bridge pins and tuners are in excellent shape. The guitar has a clean bill of health and needs no further repair or service.

A special guitar and an exceptional find. Hard to believe it’s 90 years old.

With original hardshell case
1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0
  • 1930 Gibson L-0

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Folkway Music in Guelph, Ontario Canada

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We've spent thirty years building relationships with musicians, collectors, and fellow dealers across Canada and the US. Every guitar we sell has been inspected, played, and approved by hands that know the difference.

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