Wetdog Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Okay, so I really like vintage archtop, F-hole Gibsons. Perhaps that is because I myself am vintage. Having played for over 50 years I play a variety of styles, but mostly jazz. I'm a lefty player and finding left handed guitars is not easy. I also have done a lot of instrument repair work and have a decent home shop and hope to build some guitars from scratch. I recently acquired a 1947 L-7 and have some questions for the forum and I'll get to that later. As far as I know Gibson was not making factory lefties in the 40's but the non-cutaway archtops lend themselves very nicely to conversion to lefty without ruining the integrity of the original guitar. I also own a 1959 330 and a modern Epiphone Joe Pass. So I'll be seeing y'all on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Welcome. As you are an archtop guy I am curious as to whether you have messed around with the round soundhole archtops? Reason I ask is I prefer them to the f-hole variety which I have never been able to make peace with them. I recently had a 1930s X braced Gibson L-12 over for a visit. Beautiful istrument which I could have gotten on the cheap. I wanted to like that guitar so much but in the end I passed on it. Folks who know these guitars though tell me it is not the guitar but me - that you need a different touch to play an archtop, that you just can't flail away at them like I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I also have a mid-1947 L-7: script logo, A-235 serial number. As you know, with a movable bridge and raised finger rest, it's dead simple to convert a righty L-7 to lefty, and completely reversible when/if the time comes to sell. While I haven't fully come to terms with playing and archtop, it's still a nice guitar to own. If you have any links to video lessons geared towards acoustic archtops, I would love to get them. Here's my old L-7, before replacing the out-gassing finger rest: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I also have a mid-1947 L-7: script logo, A-235 serial number. As you know, with a movable bridge and raised finger rest, it's dead simple to convert a righty L-7 to lefty, and completely reversible when/if the time comes to sell. While I haven't fully come to terms with playing and archtop, it's still a nice guitar to own. If you have any links to video lessons geared towards acoustic archtops, I would love to get them. Here's my old L-7, before replacing the out-gassing finger rest: that's a beauty nick. .... what's the round thing on the side of the tree ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 what's the round thing on the side of the tree ? It's just a ceramic wreath with an orchid planted in it. Our garden is full of little things like that. My wife was a druidess in a previous life, for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Lefty archtops????…..lol….If you are talking acoustic only, just replace the nut and adjust the saddle for left handed compensation and you have an instant lefty???? Pickups and knobs present a different problem…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetdog Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 To answer Zombiewoof, no I have not tried a round hole archtop, I presume you mean like the L-1. But I have tried a custom Gypsy guitar which is a type of archtop sort of. They are traditionally made with arch induced by bending the top plate, have oval or large D shaped holes and a LONG scale length. Up to 27". Loud and kind of sparkly but still plenty of bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverSteve Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I also have a mid-1947 L-7: script logo, A-235 serial number. As you know, with a movable bridge and raised finger rest, it's dead simple to convert a righty L-7 to lefty, and completely reversible when/if the time comes to sell. While I haven't fully come to terms with playing and archtop, it's still a nice guitar to own. If you have any links to video lessons geared towards acoustic archtops, I would love to get them. Here's my old L-7, before replacing the out-gassing finger rest: Gorgeous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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