CJB
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Posts posted by CJB
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Hey everyone, long time no see. This thread got me out of the shadows.
a 12 fret L1 is a dream guitar for me. I found a ‘poor man’s’ version last fall and I have been more content with with this beauty than anything else I’ve had. A 1940 Kalamazoo KG12 that was converted to x bracing 10 years ago. It has a huge neck that I absolutely love. And the tone is perfect.
I’ll see if I can add pics in a bit. -
I like to call that Gibson sound ‘spanky’. My old converted KGH-12 is nice and spanky with Retros. I’ve never tried Newtone. I’ll look forward some.
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I love the custom light Retros on my ‘40 Kalamazoo. They make it quite Gibsonesque.
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I recently had a L-00 Blues Master 12 fret that was some kind of special run of guitars that had an ‘aged vintage finish’ that seemed to age quick. It had finish subtle finish checking too.
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Thanks Dave! It’s quite a learning experience sorting through all the variations of names and designations.
That one was a beauty. What do you remember about it totally? -
Hello everyone! I'm looking for info on early 30's L-0 all mahogany 12 fret guitars.
A few questions:
How many were made?
How did the build details differ between each guitar?
What's the bracing like?
What $$ do they typically go for these days?
Thanks!
Chris
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Wow Dave! That sounds like it'll be an amazing guitar!
I didn't know there was a custom program at Gibson. Maybe it's time to look into an all hog 12 fret L-0.
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Unfortunately the all hog 12 fret Waterloo is one that I’ve not owned - I’ve tried but hasn’t worked out so far. The 14 fretter is a good one though but doesn’t have that 12 fret sweetness. As you say, one of those is more likely to show up than the real L-0 over here as well.
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8 hours ago, zombywoof said:
I would be all in for say an Historic Series 12 fret, 25" scale all mahogany L-0 especially if it had a 2 3/8" string spacing at the bridge.
YES!
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ZW, yep I was thinking that some of the parts may be extras or reused from other series. 🤷♂️
BK, thanks! Yep different store but same guitar.
I have no idea how to properly post pictures on here unfortunately.
I’ll work on it….meanwhile, I posted a few pics over here… https://umgf.com/ng-l-00-bluesmaster-12-fret-t213671.html
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Hey everyone!
After having sampled a wonderful HG00 that a friend has around 2.6 weeks ago I decided to do a random internet search on 12 fret L-00's . Most results showed up either the Keb Mo model or early 30's models and one of my ultimate dream guitars (a '30/31 all mahogany L-0 but those seem to be quite rare and spendy). Then this one result showed something that was new and in inventory at a big music store site. There wasn't much info on the site about it but they showed 2 in stock so I called and talked with someone about it. It was apparently a 'Limited' run of a few guitars but nothing else. I ended up getting a great deal on one of them halfway thinking that I'd end up using their generous return policy (not something I've done before so I was hesitant)
About 2.1 weeks ago it arrived and I've been playing it ever since. I was primarily curious about how the 12 fret neck joint and the L-00 body would interact tonally. Turns out that it's snappy and luscious at the same time - that 12 fret tone that I love mixed with the L-00 tone that I love. Very responsive and full. But get this. What surprised me is that it has a 1.80" nut width and a full C shaped neck that measures about .90" at the first fret. These dimensions are ideal for me and my strange fretting hand issues. With the built in electronics it's only 3.6 pounds (my 1937-38 L-00 is 3.1 pounds).
After 2.2 weeks with it, I love it. It's the most satisfying NEW guitar I've had with the way it sounds, looks and feels. I can tell it has a long way to go to open up and develop but that will be part of the fun.
My favorite guitar I've owned is my '37ish L-00. But this is a great second to that one. I'm thinking a great third is one of those '30/31 all hog L-0. 😄
I wrote to Gibson customer service to see if I can get more info but haven't heard anything yet.
What I know is that it's labeled as a L-00 Bluesmaster Limited. I wonder what the difference is between these and the Blues King? The build quality is the same as or better than my previously owned 50's LG-2.
Any others out there have one of these or know anything about them?
Regardless, they're really cool and fun guitars with really really good tone.
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YES!!!!! I knew you'd cave eventually. 😄
That looks like a beauty. Can't wait to hear it!
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That was fantastic!
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That’s fantastic, Tom! Thanks!
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32 minutes ago, 62burst said:
Did you happen to come acoss CFH's "guitar hq" labor-of-love site? So much information there.
Scroll down to the "L-00 Flattop" section. . . you might get some more information there. Like:
That's great, thank you! I had not looked there yet.
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Another question, how does a Hg-00 compare to why a 12 fret L-00 or an all Mahogany L-0?
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As far as I know, no Gibson guitars were made with bar frets. Martin did til middle ‘34 for non Hawaiian guitars. I think I remember that the Hawaiian models had bar frets into the early 40’s?
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23 minutes ago, QuestionMark said:
From what I understand these were originally set up Hawaiian style, with the strings raised off the neck like a square neck dobro…but many of the guitars ended up being converted to standard guitars. The HG stands for Hawaiian Guitar if I’m not mistaken. I’ve only heard great things about these guitars if they are in their original state or if they were converted. I believe they fetch a high price value among vintage guitar collectors.
BTW, I couldn’t pull up any of the photos on my iPhone.
QM aka “Jazzman” Jeff
Thanks Jeff! For some reason I can't see the pics on my iphone but I can see them responding from a laptop.
5 minutes ago, zombywoof said:The HG-00 is a great guitar. They have more volume and a slower decay than the Advanced L body guitars. But what did your fiend have converted? Pretty much all you ever had to do with these guitars is lower the saddle and you were good to go.
I enjoyed playing it. We traded guitars for the weekend so he's got my L-00. This thing really has some kick to it but the 12 fret bridge position gives it a really rich almost creamy sweetness.
I looked inside and the braces look just a little bit more stout than my L-00 and the top seems thicker. Nothing inside looks altered so I guess the conversion was only the nut and the bridge was replaced too. That seems fairly common on those old girls.
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Hello everyone! I've got another question for y'all. A friend recently dropped by with an old converted HG-00. I don't know much about these except they're a converted Hawaiian L-00 like guitar.
I have looked around the forums but wanted to get some current thinking on these guitars?
It's a black finish with firestripe pick guard (so sexy) and the wide neck is surprisingly comfortable. Basically, the same profile as my '38 L-00 but the V is a tiny bit asymmetrical. I once had a 0017A that the neck was just way too much for me and I expected this one to be similar but it's not.
Anyway, what can y'all tell me about these?
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34 minutes ago, zombywoof said:
The rarest of the rare would be an early-L guitar with an elevated fretboard. I have never even gotten my hands on one but they just look so darn cool.
Yes they do!
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Wow what a story behind that guitar!
And thanks for that other link. There was a semi local CEO7 for sale recently and I thought of you.
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49 minutes ago, Dave F said:
I like the L00 '32 Reissue I have. It appears to be built close to the Legend specs without the VOS finish. I've been impressed with the aged top on the SJ. I like the comfort of my NL 12-fret. I've been thinking about trying to order an L00 built to legend specs except aged top, 12 fret, 1.75" nut, C neck profile, 25" scale.
Dave, that sounds fantastic. Your Reissue is one that seems quite special too but I like your idea of the custom 12 fret.
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1 hour ago, BluesKing777 said:
I found a few photos of my '37 I have not shown a million times! (It was a blacktop once, apparently):
BluesKing777.
BK, I love the wood on that one! How long have you had it? Are you happy with that pickup?
Been looking for a 30s L-1...
in Gibson Acoustic
Posted
The 12 fret WL-12 are very tempting and like the way I’d go when it’s time for a all mahogany guitar.
Mine was converted by David Sheppard of Mt Airy, NC. I’d ask him to do it if you find one. No doubt Baxendale would do a great job but I like the way David did mine. You can’t tell anything was done, until you play it.
I played a friend’s ‘38 HG-00 extensively and it is an entire pound heavier than mine and it was stiff sounding. The bracing was huge and the top was much thicker than a ‘38 L00 I had at the time.
I also encourage going to a guitar show - that’s where I found mine (in Asheville) and there were several old and various Kalamazoo’s, etc. to compare. They were all light and lively in their own way. They always say to try as many of these old ones as possible and I’ve learned they were right. They also said to grab ‘the one’ when you find it.