Gibson L7 1930 - aftermarket case

[macker]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

19 inch neck

20 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'??)

[ksdaddy]

I love it when you talk dirty.

[macker]

[/img] How the heck do you post pictures?

[macker]

 

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]

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]

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.