vw1300 Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Got to play some very interesting Gibsons recently - dropped off my J-50 for a fresh setup at Great Southern right after New Year's - they had this pretty mid '60s 3/4 size LG (ladder braced) on consignment. I didn't even know they made these! They also had a MK-35 which I never got to play before, and a Chet Atkins. Was at Fuller's last weekend and they had this banner J-45 which we enjoyed playing as well. Thanks to geelinus for the tip on how to insert an image link. IMG_7913 IMG_7917 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Interesting that they call that little guitar a 3/4. It's clearly smaller than that. The 'Arlo Guthrie' 3/4 model is, I suppose, what I'm familiar with. I hope one of you geeks can explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Gibson first used that form factor in the mid 30s on the L-00 3/4. They made a very small number -- I have heard a bit over 30, but I think there were more. These were x-braced. Then in about 1942 Gibson introduced the Kalamazoo SPORT MODEL -- same from factor but ladder braced. Then in the late 50s they introduced the LG 3/4 -- Woody Guthrie bought one of those for Arlo. They were ladder braced. Gibson later reissued that guitar as the Arlo Guthrie model. It was ladder braced because Arlo insisted for historically accuracy. There is an 35 L-00 3/4 and a Kalamazoo Sport Model on the two sides of this picture. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 The guitar in the first photo looks to be a true parlor size, so is that considered a 3/4 LG1? It's a model I've never seen. Looks like the size of my Martin 5-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 The guitar in the first photo looks to be a true parlor size, so is that considered a 3/4 LG1? It's a model I've never seen. Looks like the size of my Martin 5-15. They are a bit bigger than a 5-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vw1300 Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 Gibson first used that form factor in the mid 30s on the L-00 3/4. They made a very small number -- I have heard a bit over 30, but I think there were more. These were x-braced. Then in about 1942 Gibson introduced the Kalamazoo SPORT MODEL -- same from factor but ladder braced. Then in the late 50s they introduced the LG 3/4 -- Woody Guthrie bought one of those for Arlo. They were ladder braced. Gibson later reissued that guitar as the Arlo Guthrie model. It was ladder braced because Arlo insisted for historically accuracy. There is an 35 L-00 3/4 and a Kalamazoo Sport Model on the two sides of this picture. Best, -Tom Tom, when you say "form factor" - do you mean they used the same mold, or just the same general size and proportions? When we saw the guitar, it made me think of a cherry burst L-00 more than an LG-1 that had been shrunken. Thanks for the history lesson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Tom, when you say "form factor" - do you mean they used the same mold, or just the same general size and proportions? When we saw the guitar, it made me think of a cherry burst L-00 more than an LG-1 that had been shrunken. Thanks for the history lesson. I believe they could have all been made with the same mold. A lot of stuff could be different -- tuners, bracing, wood thickness, neck contour, bridge, bridgeplate, finish, etc. -- but I believe the shape is the same. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 My '54 LG2-3/4 has been retired until I get a new bridge and plate installed. Glad this thread came along - now I can get thinking about it again☺ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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