1930's L-7 Archtop w/ Picture Frame Inlays Helps, pls.

[Dennis D near Milwaukee]

I own a '30's L-7 with those period 'Picture Frame' Inlays. I love the look, sound etc, but there are no natural finish ones that were made exactly like that.(that I can find ). So I'm thinking of going the ' new guitar' route. Ideally I'd like a 16 in., and natural - not sunburst. Otherwise, same scale, etc etc.

Where do I start with Gibson,Custom Shop or ?.. Any contact help appreciated.

Thanks.

Dennis

[JimR56]

Gibson did make L7's with a natural finish, beginning in 1939:

 

 

L7's were 16" wide in the beginning (1933, 1934).

[Dennis D near Milwaukee]

Gibson did make L7's with a natural finish, beginning in 1939:

 

 

L7's were 16" wide in the beginning (1933, 1934).

 

Thanks Jim - -I have a '37 - and it's 17 in. wide. I've owned mine for maybe five-seven years, and since then, have never seen a blonde with those inlays for sale - -and I've been watching. At least now I know what to look for, but this isn't looking good for finding one.

Thanks again.

[JimR56]

Not quite the same I know, but check this out: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-Gibson-L-4-Acoustic-Archtop-Guitar-Gorgeous-Blonde-/321076300816

[Dennis D near Milwaukee]

Not quite the same I know, but check this out: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-Gibson-L-4-Acoustic-Archtop-Guitar-Gorgeous-Blonde-/321076300816

 

Thanks - and L-4's are the best buy on the street !

Could that L-7 have been a refinish? I can't tell from the photo.

Otherwise, how would you duplicate that guitar ? Would Gibson sell that fingerboard as a replacement? Or -

I have been able to locate the exact same replacement inlays for a Les Paul Artisan, but not these exact Hearts and Flowers / L-7 style. That'd be a start too.

I also know Gibson used these inlays on some Centennial SJ style in 1995....I'm guessing they were a Montana build, but not sure there's a contact number ( ? )

Any further help / suggestions appreciated.

 

Thanks again !

[L5Larry]

As Jim says, natural was available as a finish option on the L-7 starting in 1939, but.... that's still going to be a 17" body.

 

A 16" archtop with picture frame inlays and natural finish was never made by Gibson. The 1934 era L-10 fits your specifications EXCEPT the finish (16" body, picture frame inlays), they were all black.

 

If you could find an L-10 from this era, have it refinished natural, you'd have your holy grail.

 

Here's an WAY overpriced example currently on e-bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SALE-1933-GIBSON-L-10-L10-SCRIPT-LOGO-ARCHTOP-GUITAR-grlc855-/290865677484?pt=Guitar&hash=item43b8f204ac

[Dennis D near Milwaukee]

As Jim says, natural was available as a finish option on the L-7 starting in 1939, but.... that's still going to be a 17" body.

 

A 16" archtop with picture frame inlays and natural finish was never made by Gibson. The 1934 era L-10 fits your specifications EXCEPT the finish (16" body, picture frame inlays), they were all black.

 

If you could find an L-10 from this era, have it refinished natural, you'd have your holy grail.

 

Here's an WAY overpriced example currently on e-bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SALE-1933-GIBSON-L-10-L10-SCRIPT-LOGO-ARCHTOP-GUITAR-grlc855-/290865677484?pt=Guitar&hash=item43b8f204ac

 

I appreciate the information. I'm guessing it's more than accurate, and really explains why there have been so few natural finish L-7's from that era.

 

Two other questions, please: 1. Is my understanding correct that they didn't use those picture frame inlays after 1940 on L-7's, meaning the only possible year for picture frames and natural L-7's would be 1939, correct ?? ..

 

and 2. Can refinishing really be an option? I've been told the sunburst stain is basically impossible to completely remove from the thin wood used on archtops. I'd love to be wrong, but every refinish I've seen on an acoustic instrument always has shadows of the original finish.

 

Thanks for all the help.

Dennis

[JimR56]

Two other questions, please: 1. Is my understanding correct that they didn't use those picture frame inlays after 1940 on L-7's, meaning the only possible year for picture frames and natural L-7's would be 1939, correct ?

The photo I posted above is a 1940 example. I believe the double parallellogram inlays were introduced in 1942, so if any were produced in '41 (?), that could mean 39/40/41 for the picture frames.

 

2. Can refinishing really be an option?

Refinishing would ruin the character/patina/value of the guitar, so unless it was in awful condition, it would be a very bad idea to refinish.

[Jabberwocky]

If it doesn't have to be a Gibson, you could go to a luthier like Mark Campellone http://www.mcampellone.com, Bryant Trenier http://www.trenierguitars.com, Andrew Mowry http://www.mowrystrings.com/ or Dave Stewart http://www.stewartarchtops.com/HOME/ and get it custom made to your specifications.

[Dennis D near Milwaukee]

If it doesn't have to be a Gibson, you could go to a luthier like Mark Campellone http://www.mcampellone.com, Bryant Trenier http://www.trenierguitars.com, Andrew Mowry http://www.mowrystrings.com/ or Dave Stewart http://www.stewartarchtops.com/HOME/ and get it custom made to your specifications.

 

Follow-Up Thoughts and hunches....

I did contact each of these builders, except Trenier..

Marc C. and Dave S. said no, but Andrew said he would. I was surprised at how many new high-end custom mandolins are bought. I was also surprised at how competitive Dave Stewarts prices are on his standard instruments. I would think a builder in Canada would be on the wrong end of the exchange rate, and therefore more money - -not less.

I am more than a little far from these builders, so seeing and playing their stuff is a problem. But, if Marc Campellone had said yes, for me that would've been it. I send him the money, he sends me the instrument, and it's just what it's supposed to be or better.

Thanks for the suggestions.