1933 Gibson L-00
Gibson’s elevated-fretboard L-00s were a very short-lived iteration of the then-new model. The company’s first 14-3/4” L-sized guitars were 12 fretters upon their introduction in late 1929, and remained 12 fret guitars until sometime near the end of 1932, when the first 14 fret models were completed and shipped.
It’s important to know, however, that these flat-top L-sized guitars weren’t Gibson’s first 14 fret models. Gibson’s L-5 archtops from 1923 on were 14 fret models, the Style 0 was a 15 fret model, and the smaller L-sized archtops featured 14 fret necks from 1932 on. More interestingly, the Hawaiian flat top models (HG-20, 22, and 24) that were produced in 1932 (and only in 1932) were built with 14 fret necks with archtop-style elevated fretboards.
The HG Hawaiians, with their five soundholes (four F holes and one round one), internal sound baffles, and unique body shape didn’t catch on with buyers. They were expensive, a bit odd looking, and didn’t have the kind of warm bassy sound that people were wanting. With low orders, Gibson scrapped the project within its first year of production.
The demand for 14 fret neck guitars was growing steadily in 1932 and Gibson watched as Martin redesign a number of their top selling models as 14 fret guitars. At the tail end of that year Gibson shipped the first 14 fret L-1s and L-2s. Those early 14 fret L-1s, which had the same neck specs as the retired HG-20, were presumably built with leftover HG necks, complete with their elevated fretboard extensions. The one batch of 14 fret L-2s, which featured headstock inlays and different fretboard binding, were built with ‘normal’ fretboard necks, and the base-model L-00 also featured elevated boards until sometime in mid 1933 when Gibson must have used up their stock of repurposed HG-20 necks. All this is undocumented, of course, and is presented here as a plausible theory, rather than as fact.
Now back to this elevated fretboard L-00. There were a few dozen batches of elevated board Ls made from late 1932 to mid 1933. It’s near impossible to say how many with any certainty as there are no records, but suffice to say, they are quite rare today. This example remains in wonderful condition and, along with its unique elevated ‘board tone, offers excellent playability.
A powerful guitar with huge headroom, clean and clear fundamental, classic Gibson midrange punch, thick trebles with lots of muscle, and a bold low end, this L-00 leaves you wanting for nothing. It’s an excellent flatpicker and cleans up nicely under a softer right hand attack, with pretty overtone flower when you want it. It’s a store favorite, as you might imagine.
The guitar is ostensibly crack free. If you look closely you’ll see two very short hairline cracks in the back that are 1” and 2” long and glued. The top and sides are without cracks or repairs. The back braces are perfect and have never come loose; the top’s bracing is close to the same, but there is one brace section that’s been cleanly reglued. The neck has been cleanly reset, and there are 4 tiny, infilled screw holes from a tailpiece that was once mounted. These are very easy to miss. The bridge is an aged replacement made in our shop, the bridge plate is original. We’ve refretted the guitar, installed a set of original 1933 L-00 tuning machines, and set the guitar up with 12-54 strings and 5-7 action. The headstock was drilled for threaded bushing tuners once, but all evidence of them is beautifully repaired and is well hidden under the tuners we’ve installed.
The neck has a soft V carve and 1-3/4” nut. 1st fret neck depth is .905”, 9th fret depth measures 1.030”. String spacing at the saddle is 2-3/8”. Scale length is 24.75”.
The guitar’s original finish is unaltered and in lovely condition. There is playwear on the back of the neck as can be seen in the provided photos, and light wear by the soundhole. Overall, the guitar presents well above the average 90 year old Gibson.
This is a rare and desirable guitar that sounds incredible and is in wonderful condition. We wish we had more than one!
With hardshell case.
It’s important to know, however, that these flat-top L-sized guitars weren’t Gibson’s first 14 fret models. Gibson’s L-5 archtops from 1923 on were 14 fret models, the Style 0 was a 15 fret model, and the smaller L-sized archtops featured 14 fret necks from 1932 on. More interestingly, the Hawaiian flat top models (HG-20, 22, and 24) that were produced in 1932 (and only in 1932) were built with 14 fret necks with archtop-style elevated fretboards.
The HG Hawaiians, with their five soundholes (four F holes and one round one), internal sound baffles, and unique body shape didn’t catch on with buyers. They were expensive, a bit odd looking, and didn’t have the kind of warm bassy sound that people were wanting. With low orders, Gibson scrapped the project within its first year of production.
The demand for 14 fret neck guitars was growing steadily in 1932 and Gibson watched as Martin redesign a number of their top selling models as 14 fret guitars. At the tail end of that year Gibson shipped the first 14 fret L-1s and L-2s. Those early 14 fret L-1s, which had the same neck specs as the retired HG-20, were presumably built with leftover HG necks, complete with their elevated fretboard extensions. The one batch of 14 fret L-2s, which featured headstock inlays and different fretboard binding, were built with ‘normal’ fretboard necks, and the base-model L-00 also featured elevated boards until sometime in mid 1933 when Gibson must have used up their stock of repurposed HG-20 necks. All this is undocumented, of course, and is presented here as a plausible theory, rather than as fact.
Now back to this elevated fretboard L-00. There were a few dozen batches of elevated board Ls made from late 1932 to mid 1933. It’s near impossible to say how many with any certainty as there are no records, but suffice to say, they are quite rare today. This example remains in wonderful condition and, along with its unique elevated ‘board tone, offers excellent playability.
A powerful guitar with huge headroom, clean and clear fundamental, classic Gibson midrange punch, thick trebles with lots of muscle, and a bold low end, this L-00 leaves you wanting for nothing. It’s an excellent flatpicker and cleans up nicely under a softer right hand attack, with pretty overtone flower when you want it. It’s a store favorite, as you might imagine.
The guitar is ostensibly crack free. If you look closely you’ll see two very short hairline cracks in the back that are 1” and 2” long and glued. The top and sides are without cracks or repairs. The back braces are perfect and have never come loose; the top’s bracing is close to the same, but there is one brace section that’s been cleanly reglued. The neck has been cleanly reset, and there are 4 tiny, infilled screw holes from a tailpiece that was once mounted. These are very easy to miss. The bridge is an aged replacement made in our shop, the bridge plate is original. We’ve refretted the guitar, installed a set of original 1933 L-00 tuning machines, and set the guitar up with 12-54 strings and 5-7 action. The headstock was drilled for threaded bushing tuners once, but all evidence of them is beautifully repaired and is well hidden under the tuners we’ve installed.
The neck has a soft V carve and 1-3/4” nut. 1st fret neck depth is .905”, 9th fret depth measures 1.030”. String spacing at the saddle is 2-3/8”. Scale length is 24.75”.
The guitar’s original finish is unaltered and in lovely condition. There is playwear on the back of the neck as can be seen in the provided photos, and light wear by the soundhole. Overall, the guitar presents well above the average 90 year old Gibson.
This is a rare and desirable guitar that sounds incredible and is in wonderful condition. We wish we had more than one!
With hardshell case.