macker Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 Hey - I have a gibson L7 archtop circa 1930... it actually has "the gibson" on the head stock and is a very short neck.. 19 inches.. Anyway, the guitar is with my brother and I need a hardcase to ship it to Alaska. Does anyone know where I can find one to fit this guitar. Most I have tried are sloppy big. Thanks mack
ksdaddy Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 Hmmmm.... I don't think they made an L7 in 1930, I think 1932 or 1933.... and I don't think they ever had "The Gibson" on them. Maybe it's not an L7. Seems like any case for an ES-175 would fit but the problem would be getting an aftermarket case specifically designed for that size/shape body. A Gibson case is going to run you some bucks IF you can find one for sale.
Hoss Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 Yup- that don't sound like no L7. If you post some pictures, someone might be able to help. Or you could get hold of Joe at archtop.com. I know that he had a supply of archtop cases on hand.
macker Posted May 28, 2009 Author Posted May 28, 2009 You guys are awesome. I will get some photos from my brother... I just going off of what I've seen on the internet that matches what I remember. I haven't laid my eyes on it in a while, all I can remember is that it is a short neck, F-hole, archtop with "the gibson" on the top. The serial # is scratched out as my dad bought it when he was a kid from a pawn shop. I do remember the patent for the bridge was 1910 or something around then, may have been 1914. It is pretty beat up, but sure does sound good when I played it years ago. Here are the measurements if it helps any; 39 1/2 inches long 19 inch neck 20 1/4 inch body 11 1/2 inches at the shoulders 16 1/4 inches at the hips
ksdaddy Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 The 1934 L7 I had back in the 80s had a 1910 patent date on the tailpiece as well. By all means post some photos, as we are like hungry dogs fighting over a pail of guts when it comes to old wood.
Hoss Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 19 inch neck20 1/4 inch body 11 1/2 inches at the shoulders 16 1/4 inches at the hips Mmmmmm......Anthropomorphism at it's best - applied to a female guitar!! (Anyone else getting a bit 'warm'??)
macker Posted May 28, 2009 Author Posted May 28, 2009 Well, I was WAY off, not an F hole at all. Man getting old has some problems with it. But anyway this may explain alot for you guys. Hope this helps.
Hoss Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 I bought a case at Archtop.com for my old L-7, which is 16" across the lower bout- just like your guitar. Again, I'd send the measurements and picture along to Joe and see what he can do. Since it's 16" across, I'd guess it was an L-4. I thought they usually had a checkerboard type inlay around the soundhole, but it could just be the ones(few) that I've seen. I'm also confused by what I remember about the significance of the presence/lack of a dot inlay at the third fret. Certainly someone who is actually an expert on vintage gibson archtops will help out with this!
Jayla Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 I agree: it's an L-4. Go here for another example, and here for more info. Also, just for the fun of it, check out Eastman's version of the L-4 here. It in the "Uptown Series," the AR804.
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