GT Hurley Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 OK. I am now a new owner of a little guitar that is just plain cool. I am wanting to hear from other L-00 owners about what they like to play and if there is any special considerations on such an old instrument. I will be using it and I plan on giging with it on occasion. It has me a little worried as it is VERY lightly built, but what a great sounding guitar. I can't see it replacing my SJ an any way, but it giving me more options in the song presentation I can see. Pros and cons, lets hear it all. Thanks. GT
jedzep Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 Congratulations. It's my favorite for country blues percussive flatpicking and strumming, and comfortably wide in the fretboard. I have a '35 and a similar '31 L0 that's getting a serious bracing makeover and neck reset, and I have become accustomed to treating them delicately. A desk corner can do awful harm. 12's tuned down a half sound great. Keep an eye on the belly lift or any sinking below the soundhole. I'm trying to polish the lesser known songs on Paul Simon's first solo album as well as playing Tom Petty & Neil Young stuff 'til my freekin' hand cramps up. Unfortunately, a virus that takes files and charges a fee for returning them has taken all the pics of my old guitars so I can't share a photo of mine, but it looks like a twin of yours. I'm so upset I could cry. Can you tell if the tuners are original?
j45nick Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 I have a modern version of your guitar--the L-OO Legend. I finger-pick it either with bare fingers, thumbpick (plastic) and fingerpicks (metal), or thumbpick and bare fingers. I also flat pick it (Dunlop Tortex .8mm or 1.0 mm), but do not strum it except incidentally. It responds extremely well to all these approaches. Even the modern Legend version is very lightly built, but since it's new, I don't hesitate to use DR Sunbeam 12's. It's hard to imagine you could get adequate drive out of a much lighter string, but I would definitely not go heavier than 12's, even on my new one. You may want to get the structural condition evaluated before deciding the strings to use. It excels (I don't, but it does) at country blues, ragtime, and even harder-core blues. All around, it's pretty much my favorite acoustic right now, and gets about 75% of my playing time.
GT Hurley Posted October 4, 2014 Author Posted October 4, 2014 J45Nick and Jedzep, Thanks for the info. It is a big help. This 37 has been completely restored and it is essentially a new guitar in construction. All of the old parts that could be used were. No these are replacement "vintage" tuners I have been told. They look and work good. There were multiple cracks and from what my luthier says the whole back had to removed and repaired. Like I said before it is a player. I am currently using .12's and will keep them on it, tuned a half step down. And your right Nick she sounds great there. I use a 1 mm Redbear pick on everything I play, as well as fingers and fingerpicks. So I think this little guitar is going to be allot of fun. Thanks for the pic! If anyone out there has a location on a good case for this L-00 I am in the market. Thanks. GT
Martin 1940D28 Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 These are sweethearts and have a "heavenly" tone. Do you know exactly what parts were replaced? A heavily repaired and/or refinished vintage Gibsons are all I have ever afforded and I have a couple. My own personal opinion, "I prefer them tuned standard even having to use much lighter gauge strings". It seems to me, that, my Harmony Stella sounds good in a "drop D" , lowered or open tuning. Enjoy it and don't be afraid to play it , a sweetheart.
zombywoof Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 My first Gibson back in the 1960s was an L-00. If you asked me if it was my favorite small body guitar of those I have owned the answer is no. That distinction would go to a spruce top Oscar Schmidt Stella and Larson Brothers guitar. But if you asked me whether it was my favorite small body Gibson the answer would be a big yes.
62burst Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 The "Gibson Acoustic" case that is sold with the contemporary L-00, Blues King, etc. will fit just fine, if you can find one. But the Humicase Protege model sold at Musician's Friend turns out to be a better fit, and had a better quality in material, finishes, and hardware. Also hard to find, and difficult to justify the expense of, is the humidification kit that the case is designed to accommodate. Since I humidify the guitar areas, I don't bother with the "pucks" that fit in the Humicase, but the humidity gauge that fits in the recess by the headstock is very helpful, and I often carry it in other cases, as it records mins/maxes in temp & humidity when transporting instruments. As we are getting into the heating season, this info is good to know. It will interesting to see how you work the L-00 into your music... be sure to drop us a sample of that when you get down the road a bit with it.
Dave F Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 J45Nick and Jedzep, Thanks for the info. It is a big help. This 37 has been completely restored and it is essentially a new guitar in construction. All of the old parts that could be used were. No these are replacement "vintage" tuners I have been told. They look and work good. There were multiple cracks and from what my luthier says the whole back had to removed and repaired. Like I said before it is a player. I am currently using .12's and will keep them on it, tuned a half step down. And your right Nick she sounds great there. I use a 1 mm Redbear pick on everything I play, as well as fingers and fingerpicks. So I think this little guitar is going to be allot of fun. Thanks for the pic! If anyone out there has a location on a good case for this L-00 I am in the market. Thanks. GT If you were closer to me (KY) I could make you a great deal. At a local auction I recently bought a lot of 4 cases not knowing what size they were figuring I had about every size guitar. The main case I was after was a Hiscox and I got the whole lot for about half the cost of a Hiscox. Turns out they were all the same size for a classical guitar that happens to be a perfect fit for the Gibson L body. I'm using the Hiscox for my LC and one of the others (they're all Humicase) for my LG1. If you know a way to keep the shipping cost down, contact me and we'll work something out. All the cases were in like new condition although the paperwork inside them indicated they were from 2007. Let me know if you want the model number of the Hiscox for reference. http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/113391-fs-small-body-guitar-cases/&do=findComment&comment=1532245 Dave
Gibson Artist Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 OK. I am now a new owner of a little guitar that is just plain cool. I am wanting to hear from other L-00 owners about what they like to play and if there is any special considerations on such an old instrument. I will be using it and I plan on giging with it on occasion. It has me a little worried as it is VERY lightly built, but what a great sounding guitar. I can't see it replacing my SJ an any way, but it giving me more options in the song presentation I can see. Pros and cons, lets hear it all. Thanks. GT That's a sweet guitar friend, i wonder what you paid for it because i wonder if its totally out of my ballpark? 2k being mine, lol..
Gibson Artist Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 I have a modern version of your guitar--the L-OO Legend. I finger-pick it either with bare fingers, thumbpick (plastic) and fingerpicks (metal), or thumbpick and bare fingers. I also flat pick it (Dunlop Tortex .8mm or 1.0 mm), but do not strum it except incidentally. It responds extremely well to all these approaches. Even the modern Legend version is very lightly built, but since it's new, I don't hesitate to use DR Sunbeam 12's. It's hard to imagine you could get adequate drive out of a much lighter string, but I would definitely not go heavier than 12's, even on my new one. You may want to get the structural condition evaluated before deciding the strings to use. It excels (I don't, but it does) at country blues, ragtime, and even harder-core blues. All around, it's pretty much my favorite acoustic right now, and gets about 75% of my playing time. That is a beauty.
j45nick Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 That is a beauty. It's a really, really sweet guitar. I was lucky to find it. They don't seem to come on the market very often. The L-OO TV is a pretty good approximation for a bit less money, but I wanted the all hide glue construction and detailing of the Legend.
BluesKing777 Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Country blues, blues and bluesy.....fingerpicking blues at its best! They don't do 'beautiful' very much, but it can be coaxed, but better at...fingerpicked country blues! Slide! 37 L-0 *Customised) [thumbup] BluesKing777.
GT Hurley Posted October 5, 2014 Author Posted October 5, 2014 That's a sweet guitar friend, i wonder what you paid for it because i wonder if its totally out of my ballpark? 2k being mine, lol.. GA, I think 2K is a start for a L-00, they can be found for that. However most you will find in that price range will need allot of work. Taking into consideration mine is a complete resto, including neck reset, refret with titanium frets, bridge plate, complete refinish, all bracing reglued and tuners... You get the picture. It adds up quickly. But I know what I have up front and I trust the luthier exclusively. I hope this helps. GT
JuanCarlosVejar Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 I play everthing on mine. A piece of sonic heaven : Love it to bits JC
Gibson Artist Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Country blues, blues and bluesy.....fingerpicking blues at its best! They don't do 'beautiful' very much, but it can be coaxed, but better at...fingerpicked country blues! Slide! 37 L-0 *Customised) [thumbup] BluesKing777. Wow, another gorgeous axe, you guys are killing me! I assume yours is original? I cant imagine what those cost but im guessing out of my range.
Jayyj Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 I have two small body Gibsons, a '39 and a '26 L1 with the smaller body and H bracing. The L00 has a pickup installed and I have no concerns gigging it - my take is that they may be delicately built by modern standards but as long as you look after them they're more than capable of professional use, both recording and playing live.
wezzywest Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Congratulations, that is a little beauty. I`m sure you will get years of pleasure from it. Enjoy.
GT Hurley Posted October 5, 2014 Author Posted October 5, 2014 I have a modern version of your guitar--the L-OO Legend. I finger-pick it either with bare fingers, thumbpick (plastic) and fingerpicks (metal), or thumbpick and bare fingers. I also flat pick it (Dunlop Tortex .8mm or 1.0 mm), but do not strum it except incidentally. It responds extremely well to all these approaches. Even the modern Legend version is very lightly built, but since it's new, I don't hesitate to use DR Sunbeam 12's. It's hard to imagine you could get adequate drive out of a much lighter string, but I would definitely not go heavier than 12's, even on my new one. You may want to get the structural condition evaluated before deciding the strings to use. It excels (I don't, but it does) at country blues, ragtime, and even harder-core blues. All around, it's pretty much my favorite acoustic right now, and gets about 75% of my playing time. That is a very pretty guitar. Wow.
GT Hurley Posted October 5, 2014 Author Posted October 5, 2014 Country blues, blues and bluesy.....fingerpicking blues at its best! They don't do 'beautiful' very much, but it can be coaxed, but better at...fingerpicked country blues! Slide! 37 L-0 *Customised) [thumbup] BluesKing777. And the slide says it all. Nice axe.
GT Hurley Posted October 5, 2014 Author Posted October 5, 2014 After doing some reading and research I have come to the conclusion I am in good company. It seems the L-00 is considered a "players" guitar. That is good because I am not a collector. I use everything I own, and if it isn't useful it goes down the road. This L-00 is starting out on the right foot. I played it all day yesterday and it feels good. It sounds SO different that it will set itself apart sonically from my other instruments, which is very important to me. The last thing I need is guitars that sound the same, I don't do redundant. So far she is a keeper, and I just can't get enough of the mojo that comes with a 77 year old guitar, I wonder what stories she is going to pass on to me? I don't know if you know Ben Bullington, but it was one of his guitars. He passed it on to my luthier before he passed away and now I have it. So history, even recent, increases the cool factor for me at least. Thanks for all the activity, for now adios. GT
GT Hurley Posted October 5, 2014 Author Posted October 5, 2014 If you were closer to me (KY) I could make you a great deal. At a local auction I recently bought a lot of 4 cases not knowing what size they were figuring I had about every size guitar. The main case I was after was a Hiscox and I got the whole lot for about half the cost of a Hiscox. Turns out they were all the same size for a classical guitar that happens to be a perfect fit for the Gibson L body. I'm using the Hiscox for my LC and one of the others (they're all Humicase) for my LG1. If you know a way to keep the shipping cost down, contact me and we'll work something out. All the cases were in like new condition although the paperwork inside them indicated they were from 2007. Let me know if you want the model number of the Hiscox for reference. http://forum.gibson....s/#entry1532245 Dave Dave, A bit confused as what you have available? Yes a reference number would be good, if you are selling it. Could you explain what one or ones are for sale, and manufacture of them. Because the way your post sounded it seems your are keeping the Hiscox. Thanks. GT
Dave F Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Dave, A bit confused as what you have available? Yes a reference number would be good, if you are selling it. Could you explain what one or ones are for sale, and manufacture of them. Because the way your post sounded it seems your are keeping the Hiscox. Thanks. GT GT, I'm keeping the Hiscox. It fits perfectly and for your reference the model is Pro-II-GCL-L. The TKL case is available. The HumiCase with the cover is available. Dave
Debonnaire Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 I have a 37 HG-00 I fell in love with it and bought it a year ago. I was more of a bluegrass and country gospel strummer, but have basically lost the pick and changed my playing style for this guitar. I have taken a lot of inspiration from Justin Townes Earle. I notice he plays a lot of small-bodied guitars including a Loare based on the L-00. One thing I really like it the wide neck. it forces me to rotate my hand into a "more-correct" playing position. I am the sort of guy who is always wracked with buyer's remorse, but every time I open the case I am glad I made this purchase.
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