SimonR Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Hi all, I originally posted in the Restoration sub-forum but it doesn't seem to get much foot-fall there so I thought I'd say hello here instead! I've just come into possession of what I think I've correctly identified as a Gibson L1. It's had a pretty amazing history - it was given to one of my Grandmother's school friends in Calcutta, when he was 15 (it was second hand then), survived WWII with him while he flew in the RAF and up until fairly recently was the only guitar he ever played regularly. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago but would be in this late 80s now. He and I discussed guitars back in about 1997 when I'd just been given an ES335 for my 18th birthday - I was very interested to know more about his guitar and he send me photos of it sometime shortly after. Anyway, one thing led to another and his widow very kindly gave me the guitar this weekend because she wanted it to end up with someone who would cherish and look after it. It appears to be in reasonably solid condition, but with evidence of repairs during its 84 years, most obvious of which are a replacement bridge and a pretty thick coating of varnish. Inside the body it looks like the top has been re-braced and there's also possibly evidence of a neck-reset as there's some newish-looking metalwork up near the neck joint. What I'd like to do is get the wood looking more 'original', or at least a little less obviously caked in varnish, and also get someone to check it over and let me know what else needs to be done before it's strung and played. I would think if possible, a replacement original-looking bridge would also be a good idea. Here are a few pics of it as I found it - please do comment if you'd like, I'd be interested to hear what others think about the instrument and its condition: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bo huggabee Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 AWESOME!, BUT CAN'T BELIEVE THEY BOLTED THAT BRIDGE DOWN LIKE THAT….SHAKES HEAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 It does look very much like a 1930 or so L-1. Aside from the obvious overcoat, it actually looks pretty good. You might try posting this on the Gibson Acoustic sub-forum, as there are a lot of specialists in 1930's era Gibsons that hang out there. It is not uncommon to see larger external bridge bolts with washers on L-series guitars from this period, replacing the small, recessed bolts that might have been there originally. Other than that (and the overcoat), the guitar looks pretty original. There are a large number of UK-based participants on the Gibson acoustic forum, and someone there can probably direct you to a suitable resource for any repair or evaluation work you might be considering. I would suggest that you do nothing before consulting an appropriate expert to evaluate the condition and immediate repair needs. Rule number one of vintage guitars is "do no harm". L-series small-bodies from the 1930's are prized as fingerpickers, and for good reason. You are fortunate to have received this one, and the guitar is fortunate to have a home with someone who will look after it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Hi Simon. A nice chemical stripping (but no sanding) and some fresh strings is a good place to start. See watsup after that. Restorations can get pricey, but you can still enjoy a nice player in the meantime. Except for the logo, your guitar looks a lot like my '31 L0, numbered 765 faintly on the neck block. Do you have any similar markings? Might need a flashlight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Thats worth doing.... Very nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Many thanks for your replies folks, all very welcome indeed. @ Bo: Yeah, I can't believe it either, pretty darn ugly. Never fear though, one of the first things on the list to do is get a correct bridge fitted. @J45nick: Thanks for that - yes, I did read that it's supposed to be a pretty good fingerpicker's guitar, which is pretty fortunate because that's almost all I play these days. I'm rather a Merle Travis / Chet Atkins and ragtime in general. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. It's good to know that there's a chance that the holes through which those bridge bolts pass might have been original if indeed there were concealed bolts in the original bridge. I'm currently talking to a specialist guitar restorer in the UK about it because he's worked on a very similar guitar recently so I'll report back about that. I think it's going to be pretty pricey but ultimately worth it. @Jedzep: Well I've had a look at the neck block but can't see a number but it's been varnished in there so if the writing's very feint I may well have missed it. I'll have another look. I can't wait to see it stripped and re-lacquered. I hope there's a nice piece of wood under all that varnish! @Slimt: Couldn't agree more! Cheers for now, I'll get back to you when there's more news.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Yes Simon, that bridge might even be the original, and perhaps the holes could be fitted with dots. My neckblock number could barely be seen, and still cannot be read unless angled a certain way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 My neckblock number could barely be seen, and still cannot be read unless angled a certain way. Hmm I don't think there's much hope for a neckblock number: Annoying that the varnish inside the body kicks back so much light. You can also see the metal bracket that's been fitted under the fretboard sometime in the past. Sadly something else that's new and ugly on my guitar :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Interesting. If I can capture it with my cam, you'll see that mine also received a 'carpentry' job inside. Is that a piece of pressure treated?! You've got me beat there. I've just got 1/2 inch cove mould. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 We have a 1931 L-2 that we got in almost that condition, except in addition it was dissasembled -- in a box. The surface was so far from original that we decided to have it refinished by Randy Wood. The interior of the guitar is all original. 1931 Ls flattops are unique in Gibson history. They are very lightly braced, and have a sound that is fuller than those before or those after. Really, more Martin-like. When finger style players come to visit, they often choose this guitar as their favorite -- against really tough competition. I talked about it here. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 Hello chaps, Apologies for digging up an old thread, but I thought you might like to see the progress with my guitar. It's been more accurately dated and identified as a 1930 L0 and has been at a luthier in the north of England since the summer, being completely dismantled and rebuilt. I had no idea that it was possible to dismantle a guitar and re-build it almost from scratch but that's what has happened. I'm off to pick it up this weekend but in the meantime, here are some pictures of the work being completed. I can't wait to hear how it sounds! Back removed: The dog's dinner that was the top: All the old varnish stripped off: New top bracing and repairs: New bracing for the back: Finished: Back: Headstock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin 1940D28 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Looks like it came out very nice. Let us know about the sound with the new bracing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Looks like a very nice restoration... If you care to PM me the name of the luthier, I am interested And confidentially approx how much the work cost Looks like a valuable showpiece now... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 Many thanks for taking the time to reply, chaps! The luthier says that he's pleased with the way it sounds - the brightness you'd expect from a mahogany guitar with plenty of bass to complement it. I'll report back, or better still, record a short video of it being played once I've picked it up. I'm also very happy to tell you who did the work and roughly how much it cost because I think he's done an absolutely first-class job and would recommend his services. I'm going to wait until I've picked it up as I don't really want the whole Internet knowing where it is before then. ;-) I'll write more on Sunday night once it's back with me. Cheers for now! Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam in alberta Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 what a beautiful job. Opposite ends of the pendulum swing . You've taken a complete mess and have had it made into a thing of beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Freekin' beautiful! One thing I'd recommend having just gone through this with my 12 fretter...if that is the original ebony nut or even tusq, swap it out for bone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 The Vintage Guitar Info site ID's all the amber flat tops from this era as L-0's. Is it possible yours is too? Not that it matters much. http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson6.html#l1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 Hi again chaps. Jedzsep - you're right it is an L-0 I had identified it incorrectly when I started this thread back in 2014. Just like you guitar, it appears to be a 'transitional' one which is to say that appears to have an L-2 shaped body. I must say that this guitar is growing on me - I was originally not too sure I'd get on with it because of its size and also I wasn't sure about the mahogany body but it's appearance is now a lot nicer than it was when I first saw it, and I'm itching to get my hands on it to see how it plays. Not long to wait now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Hello again chaps, Well, I've had it nearly a week now and am getting used to it - the skinny frets seem to make quite a difference to the playability. You have to be a bit more precise with your fretting hand to avoid unintentionally muting or causing excessive fret-rattle. I made a short yesterday and uploaded it. Annoyingly the sound quality isn't great, not sure what happened there - think I need a new battery in the mic! Oh well, you get the idea - I'll make a better job of it another day. If you care to PM me the name of the luthier, I am interested And confidentially approx how much the work cost Sure - I don't mind sharing the info with others if it's helpful. The Luthier was Jim Fleeting, he's just in the process of moving from Ripon to the Manchester area. I can wholeheartedly recommend him and the quality of his craftsmanship. He also worked on a couple of my other guitars and did a beautiful job on those too. The work cost nearly £1400 (just over $2000) - it's a lot of money but Jim and I both agreed that the job had to be done properly so he spent considerable time working on it, getting the bracing perfect, fixing all the cracks and removing all the old finish. As he said when I went to pick it up, it took him about as much time to fix this guitar as it would have taken him to build it from scratch. Anyway, all the best for now it's been great sharing the guitar with you :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing the transformation and info. Your luthier should be commended for a great job. I think that you got a real deal at that price! It started out as a total "booger mess".. I am surprised that it didn't take him longer to restore than build a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Definitely stunning, great work, and what a nice result. Congrats, Simon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Very cool. Guitar turned out top - notch ! Sounds good, give that finish a year to cure and it will astonish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychonaut69 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Waiting for a video of it being played!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Really, really nice job, and the price is very reasonable for the quality and amount of work done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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