bigfrancis Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hello all. My first post on the forum. Heres my gibson... an archetype L-1 that I bought used. It's ladder (H) braced and sounds really cool. The label says 3 of 6. Haven't been able to find out much about it. Anybody know anything about these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thats a Sweet Guitar... Rens Sig and all... Hang onto it.. Chances are, you have Number 3 out of 6 that were made just like yours.. I like the Ebony Finish on that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfrancis Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Yeah I kind of think of it as a little baby upright piano. Kind of sounds like that too. Works great for Blind Blake and other old blues and ragtimey stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 . Welcome. That's a real honey of a L-1. Very cool look in ebony. Sorry, no help on your info request. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis57 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thats a Sweet Guitar... Rens Sig and all... Hang onto it.. Chances are, you have Number 3 out of 6 that were made just like yours.. I like the Ebony Finish on that... +1 Cool looking baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 If you don't mind a few questions: 1. When was it made? GuitarDater says 2008 2. What's the scale length? 3. What wood is it? 4. Is the neck a "C" profile? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfrancis Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 Well. I'll do my best. 1. Not sure when it was made as I'm the second owner. 2008 sounds about right. 2. 24.75 scale length, 1.75 at nut. "The Gibson" inlay on peghead. 3. Mahogany back and sides, I think the fingerboard and bridge are brazilian rosewood. Not sure about the top since its painted black. 4. C profile neck that transitions to a "v" as you near the heel. Pretty chunky. Nice As I mentioned, it's ladder braced in an "H" pattern. It really has "That" sound which I really like. Hope this is helpful. Thanks for your interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Really nice looking guitar A keeper for sure. Just a tip on the top wood....Get a light and a small mirror to see the underside of the top. Could at least determine if it is a spruce variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfrancis Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 ha! now there's an idea. Pretty sure its spruce. I'll take a look at the next string change. Maybe theres a Ren F signature up there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks for answering my questions. Good job by Gibson correcting the scale length to 24 3/4" - the Robert Johnson L-1s had a funky 25" SL that Ren F told me was a mistake they made due to incorrect information about the original SL Gibson used back in the late 20s. I am sure the top is Red Spruce. When the L-1 was first introduced in 1926 (first production flat tops Gibson made). they employed the "H" bracing pattern. They must have wanted to copy that design for your limited edition. I wish they used the c1926 "pyramid" style bridge too. Very cool guitar. Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfrancis Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Your reply made me wonder... so I got out the measuring tape and the scale is actually 25". Sorry to get your hopes up, but it is a Gibson after all. ha. I think you're right about the top being adirondack as you can see the wide grain ridges through the thin top finish. I have been using Pearse medium 13-54 80/20s on the guitar for about a year. They transformed it into a different and much better instrument. I keep wondering if it will explode, but the top and bridge don't seem to be moving, so I am guessing its OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I think the fingerboard and bridge are brazilian rosewood. Can't be Braz, as it's a 2008. Bridge looks like Madi, and so does the fretboard (assuming that dark streak is not an artifact of the photo). -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfrancis Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 I was just guessing because its so figured and reddish in hue. But I am far from an expert on the subject. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Hood Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 A friend of mine has one - one that I should have bought but passed it on to him. True, there were six L-1 Archetypes and twelve L-00 Archetypes made that year. I had two of the L-00's, but my friend's L-1 Archetype blew them away. I would say it's the best new Gibson I've ever played and I want one! I never knew it was ladder braced, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Lynch Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I traded for one of these, Nr. 6. Love the size and the sound. Great for blues and rag style fingerpicking. Anyone know what the original price was on this series? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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