1936 Gibson L-00 Sunburst
Description
FON 913B. A wonderfully clean mid-30s L-00 that combines new guitar playability, robust vintage tone and startling good looks. The Adirondack top is finished in the large bright burst standard after '34. It's crack free, 99.9% original and very fresh looking. Firestripe pickguard, original bridge and original bridge pins. There are a couple of well-done, drop-filled case bites and a tiny chip inexplicably missing from the guard down by the bridge. The light weather checking lends a vintage patina. But the headline is: clean, original and just drop-dead gorgeous.
The mahogany back and sides are stained dark and have fewer dings and scratches than most. There is a 5” temperature crack on the back and one on the side that resembles a scratch. Both have been addressed by my luthier. The neck is carved to a V shape with a 1-11/16” ebony nut and 2-3/8” string spacing at the saddle. Adjustable truss rod and Gibson stenciled logo on the headstock. The Folkway description suggests the tuners are a couple years older than the guitar (and I agree) but there’s nothing to suggest they haven’t been there forever. It’s enjoyed a recent neck reset and refret. New saddle and setup provided by Folkway Music. The action is dead solid perfect.
The insides are a clean with original bridge plate, linen straps on the sides, kerfing, and knife blade back braces and tone bars.
It’s a joy to play – a snappy fingerpicker and a strummer with nice ring and sustain. It has surprising volume and great character and requires little effort to get the tone to blossom.
She came to me in a chipboard case but I’ve paired it with a Crossrock L-00 sized case with tweed exterior, leatherette trim and padded plush interior. L-00 owners, take note. This is a great gigging case for a nice price.
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Dot position markers, stencil logo, single bound top, w/b/w rosette
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-3/4”
Depth: 4-3/8”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC
The mahogany back and sides are stained dark and have fewer dings and scratches than most. There is a 5” temperature crack on the back and one on the side that resembles a scratch. Both have been addressed by my luthier. The neck is carved to a V shape with a 1-11/16” ebony nut and 2-3/8” string spacing at the saddle. Adjustable truss rod and Gibson stenciled logo on the headstock. The Folkway description suggests the tuners are a couple years older than the guitar (and I agree) but there’s nothing to suggest they haven’t been there forever. It’s enjoyed a recent neck reset and refret. New saddle and setup provided by Folkway Music. The action is dead solid perfect.
The insides are a clean with original bridge plate, linen straps on the sides, kerfing, and knife blade back braces and tone bars.
It’s a joy to play – a snappy fingerpicker and a strummer with nice ring and sustain. It has surprising volume and great character and requires little effort to get the tone to blossom.
She came to me in a chipboard case but I’ve paired it with a Crossrock L-00 sized case with tweed exterior, leatherette trim and padded plush interior. L-00 owners, take note. This is a great gigging case for a nice price.
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Dot position markers, stencil logo, single bound top, w/b/w rosette
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-3/4”
Depth: 4-3/8”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC