1948 Gibson L-12

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1948 Gibson L-12

Gibson only produced 120 non-cutaway L-12s in the post-war era. This is one of that handful, built early in 1948, at the beginning of the model’s reintroduction after the end of the Second World War. The L-12 was the company’s mid-level 17” archtop at that time; occupying the line on the price-list between the L-7 and the professional-grade L-5. At $250 in 1948, relative to the L-7’s $175 price-point, the L-12 featured upgraded tonewoods, sunburst-on-all-sides lacquer, and gold hardware. As compared to the $375 L-5, the L-12 featured simpler inlays, less binding layers, rosewood in place of ebony board and bridge, and less expensive tuning machines. Apart from the grade and figure of the tonewoods, all three models were structurally identical. It’s no wonder that Gibson discontinued the mid-line L-12 in their model reorganizing of 1955.

This example is a tremendously good sounding archtop. It offers a beguilingly dark warmth through the mids and lows, coupled with a firm and rounded treble-string response. It’s a late-night, smokey room kind of Jazz box that will bring out your mellower side and turn up the expressiveness of your playing, and it scores very high marks from every one of us on staff here. Playability is excellent, too, thanks to a refret and nut replacement by our shop a few years back, and a simply heavenly neck feel.

Carved Sitka top with carved (not kerfed) parallel bracing, carved figured maple back, three-piece maple neck with attractive flame on the bass side, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Triple-bound top and back, single-bound fretboard and headstock overlay. Pearl double parallelograms on the neck, and pearl crown and logo on the headstock. Gold Kluson tuners and triple-diamond tailpiece. The pickguard is a very attractive bound tortoise celluloid reproduction.

In particularly nice condition, this crack-free L-12 is complete with its original finish throughout. The binding on the bass-side of the fretboard has been replaced, and there is a small bit of over-brushed lacquer on the base of the neck heel. The neck has not been off, but it looks like a bit of factory original wood-filler (not uncommon) might have crumbled away at some point. As far as flaws go, it’s about as minor as they get.

17” body, 25.5” scale, 1-11/16” nut, round and deep neck carve. Set up with 12-52 Chromes and a very slinky low action of 3.5 to 5/64ths at the 12th fret.

With 1960’s Gibson black and yellow hardshell case
1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12
  • 1948 Gibson L-12

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