Gibson

Though introduced in 1932, the Gibson L-50 would go through a variety of design changes up until the early 1950s.  In its earliest incarnation, it would have featured a shorter, smaller body with a flat back and oval soundhole, though in their constant tinkering with the model some examples with F holes and even carved backs exist.  By the start of the next year it uniformly sported a flat back and L body style with a slightly tighter waist.  By 1935, the lower bout was increased to 16”, like their other arch top models of the time, and by year’s end the flat back would be changed to an arched (or sometimes carved) back and “f” holes became de rigueur. Minor specifications changed over the years until this prime example from 1956 came along. 

Tonally, this particular L-50 is very midrange forward with balanced lows and highs.  Perhaps best at home comping jazz chords, it also shines brightly playing leads.  In addition to its overall tonal balance, it is particularly evenly voiced across the fingerboard, with excellent note separation and volume balance such that the typically boomy bass never swallows the trebles.

A remarkably clean and fast playing piece, this instrument is an excellent opportunity for a player who wants to get in to the world of vintage Gibson, without having to worry about the price tag that normally goes along with it.

Cosmetic Condition:

This L-50 has been especially well taken care of, and in its long life has had a decent amount of normal playwear, as well as repairs.  Repair wise, the endpin has been drilled out for a pickup jack (with an oversized endpin installed in the meanwhile), the tuner buttons have been replaced, and the original tailpiece has been repaired at the hinge.  It has been recently re-fretted with medium jumbo Dunlop fret wire, and a new bone nut was also installed. Cosmetically, there are some minor finish cracks/ finish settling on the back.  The pickguard is cracked at the upper screw hole and while a strap button has been installed, there is evidence of a previous install on the bass side of the heel.  Overall, it is in a condition that belies its age and as such, we would consider this guitar to be in EXCELLENT+ condition

• Arched Top Hollow Body
• Solid Carved Spruce Top
• Parallel Top Bracing
• Laminated Maple Back and Sides
• Sunburst Top / Walnut Back and Side Stain
• Gloss Nitrocellulose Body Finish
• Single-Ply Crème Top and Back Binding
• F-holes
• Mahogany Neck
• Bound Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Mother of Pearl Trapezoid Inlays
• “Gibson" Block Peghead Decal
• Deep C Neck Contour
• Single Line Kluson Deluxe Closed Gear Tuners With White Buttons
• Gloss Nitrocellulose Neck Finish
• Floating Adjustable Brazilian Rosewood Bridge
• Nickel Trapeze Tailpiece with Raised Diamond
• 4-Ply Black/White Raised Pickguard
• 1 11/16”