2003 LG-2 Sonoma

[seanville]

I just picked up an '03 Gibson LG-2 Sonoma, so I figured that now would be a good time to make my first post.

 

 

It's an "advanced-00" shape, with a venetian cutaway. All solid-woods: cedar on top, walnut on the back and sides. Mahogany neck, with ebony fretboard, 24-3/4" scale length. Fantastic Gotoh vintage-style open-back tuners, too. OHSC.

 

The advanced-00 is closer to an OM size, which is perfect, since I already have a dred and a parlor. This is right in between the two sizes. Super-comfortable to play seated and surprisingly loud. Also surprising is the stock Schertler Bluestick pickup, which I really know nothing about, but sounds quite excellent, when plugged in. I upgraded the plastic bridge pins to Tusq ones and it was an immediate improvement.

 

More photos of my new acquisition can be seen here.

 

Another quick question that I wanted to put out there is that I'm thinking of adding a pickguard. Take a look below and let me know which Gibson pickguard style you prefer (or if you like it better without one).

 

 

Thanks, in advance,

Sean

[J-1854Me]

Nice guitar -- and kind of unusual for Gibson, being as they did not typically use cedar tops in their guitars!

 

I like the middle pickguard a bit more than the third one. I have the same decision to make about my J-2000 -- same pointy shape as your #3, just different patterns,

 

 

Fred

[seanville]

Thanks, Fred! I believe they made the LC-2 from 2002-2006. I feel lucky to have found it.

 

On your guitar, I actually think that both the tortoise and tigerstripe look good, but If I had to choose, I'd go with the top one.

 

Did you cut the pickguards yourself or did you buy it already cut? I plan on cutting mine myself. I used the PDF templates from here.

 

- Sean

[GotTheSilver]

Congrats on a great guitar! I remember when these guitars came out. I had just gotten back into playing guitar after several years of not playing, and was learning to play fingerstyle blues. I really liked these guitars and wanted to buy one, but couldn't afford it back then.

 

There were three versions of this guitar, all with different combinations of woods. I always thought the aesthetics on these guitars was nice, also.

 

As for pickguards, I like the center picture best.

 

Again, congrats!

[seanville]

Hey GotTheSilver, do you remember the price range that the LC-series was priced at? The research I found was all over the place.

 

Cheers!

Sean

[zombywoof]

The prices varied depending on which L guitar you bought. Looking at some catalogs around the time they came out, the LC-2 (cedar/walnut) had a street price of $2100. The most expensive version appears to have been the LC-3 with the koa body which would wrench $2800 out of your pocket.

[billy_v]

Hey, I believe I know a couple of you gentlemen from long ago. J1854Me: Is that you, Fred? Remember Billy (J-45), at one time from Florida? ZombyWoof, does your last name contain "ei," and are you in the northeast? Did we cross paths on the Alembic BB some years back? Hi, guys!

I have a wonderful LC-3, which I NEVER thought I'd let go, but since I found my L-150, I've found flattop bliss, so I've been trying to get around to listing the LC-3 for sale. It's an exceptional instrument, very beautiful, sounds and plays great. It's the best version, with the larger, round neck heel, which conforms to the cutaway; not the earlier version, wtih a more pointy, narrow neck heel, which leaves a little "shelf" between the heel and the cutaway. Tight grained cedar top, lovely straight grained koa back with nice horizozntal fiddleback flame. The only appreciable wear is a liitle bit of fingernail wear under the first string, between the soundhole and the bridge; could probably buff out mostly, with no sweat. Frets, ebony fretboard, gold plating is clean; case is super clean. Stock Bluestick pickup with little volume control peeking out from edge of soundhole. Strap button added by previous owner in neck heel. Super rare. With the body size and shape, and cedar and koa construction, it's, for my money, the most responsive fingerstyle guitar Gibson has ever made. Email me for pics if interested. Thanks!

[J-1854Me]

Hey, I believe I know a couple of you gentlemen from long ago. J1854Me: Is that you, Fred? Remember Billy (J-45), at one time from Florida? ZombyWoof, does your last name contain "ei," and are you in the northeast? Did we cross paths on the Alembic BB some years back? Hi, guys!

 

Hey BILLY!! -- I remember you from a long time ago! I think I still have a drawing you made (self-portrait) from then. Wow!

 

Fred

[vacamartin]

Sean...........I vote NO pickguard-unless you really need one, then I vote The middle. Like I said on the GearPage, let me know if you see anymore. J.D.

[BigKahune]

.

Welcome Seanville.

 

Interesting LG-2. Congrats.

 

I vote the rounded pickguard (middle).

 

 

 

 

@Fred - I'm a sucker for bling and that's a beautiful guitar. I vote the tortoise pattern (top).

 

 

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