1965 Gibson LG-1 Sunburst
Description
This 1965 Gibson would have been (maybe even was) very comfortable at Woodstock, or the first Newport Folk Festival, maybe when Pete Seeger tried to unplug Bob Dylan's electric guitar. Gibson introduced the LG-1 in April of 1943 as a kind of junior partner to the famous J-45, with the same solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck. It had full body binding, a simple one-stripe rosette, a straight rosewood bridge with black bridge pins, a 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, a blackface headstock with a screened or decal logo and three-on-a-plate nickel tuners, and a tortoise pickguard. Its smaller dimensions (14 1/8” lower bout, with a 24 ¾” scale) allowed Gibson to use straight-across ladder bracing on the top as well as the back. It was usually in a sunburst finish, and was produced at a rate of about 1250 a year until 1968.
Somewhat smaller than the dreadnoughts and jumbos, the LG-1 had a 24 ¾" scale and was only 14 1/8" wide at the lower bout—similar to the size of Joan Baez's Martin. This made it light and easy to handle, while it was still tough enough to sling over your back for the trek to the next jam. It was also still a Gibson, and it had the power and resonance to fill the spaces and send the message. And 56 years of seasoning that spruce and mahogany has only made this particular LG-1 stronger.
As mentioned above, the LG-1 originally had a 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay and a rosewood bridge. However, in 1955 the fingerboard became the more common 14/20-fret model, and the rosewood bridges were (unfortunately) superseded in 1962 with the notorious plastic screw-on bridge which has been replaced on this guitar with the current rosewood bridge, thereby improving both the sound and the looks. While there is frequently some question about the exact date of manufacture of 1960s Gibsons, the serial number of this one (317034) clearly indicates the 1965 date.
If the condition were perfect and original, this would be a mildly collectible guitar as well as a great player. However, there are several repairs and replacements in addition to the bridge (and bridge pins). While there are no body cracks, there is an ancient repair of an unusual vertical crack up the headstock which is kinda homely but very solid. The tuners have been upgraded to enclosed Schallers, and the saddle is now compensated bone. There is some slight fret wear, and the action is set up at 4/32” at the 12th fret low E—subject to your tweaking with the truss rod or sanding down that new high saddle. Apparently, at one time there was an under-saddle pickup (and there's still an end pin jack), but the pickup and wiring were removed along with the previous bridge and saddle. I haven't missed it; there's enough vintage Gibson mahogany resonance for any venue I've played.
Cosmetically, it looks very good, with its bright sunburst finish evenly “crazed” all over “to let the sound out” as my luthier says. The rosewood fingerboard is highly figured, the binding has aged to a mellow gold, and the big tortoise pickguard is a beautiful contrast with the sunburst. Since it has its share of dings, a bit of buckle rash on the back, and some parts have been replaced, it’s not going into anybody’s museum; it’s “only” a great-playing 1960s Gibson, a really cool music machine which can bang with the banjos or just keep the porch warm for decades to come. And, of course, the sound is pure vintage Gibson!
The included vintage chip board case is not original, as it’s a bit large for the smaller LG body. However, the somewhat tarnished hardware all works fine, and the crimson interior is in very good shape. It offers quite adequate protection and of course is a cool vintage complement for this vintage instrument.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions before offering to purchase it. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this cool Gibson guitar.
Somewhat smaller than the dreadnoughts and jumbos, the LG-1 had a 24 ¾" scale and was only 14 1/8" wide at the lower bout—similar to the size of Joan Baez's Martin. This made it light and easy to handle, while it was still tough enough to sling over your back for the trek to the next jam. It was also still a Gibson, and it had the power and resonance to fill the spaces and send the message. And 56 years of seasoning that spruce and mahogany has only made this particular LG-1 stronger.
As mentioned above, the LG-1 originally had a 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay and a rosewood bridge. However, in 1955 the fingerboard became the more common 14/20-fret model, and the rosewood bridges were (unfortunately) superseded in 1962 with the notorious plastic screw-on bridge which has been replaced on this guitar with the current rosewood bridge, thereby improving both the sound and the looks. While there is frequently some question about the exact date of manufacture of 1960s Gibsons, the serial number of this one (317034) clearly indicates the 1965 date.
If the condition were perfect and original, this would be a mildly collectible guitar as well as a great player. However, there are several repairs and replacements in addition to the bridge (and bridge pins). While there are no body cracks, there is an ancient repair of an unusual vertical crack up the headstock which is kinda homely but very solid. The tuners have been upgraded to enclosed Schallers, and the saddle is now compensated bone. There is some slight fret wear, and the action is set up at 4/32” at the 12th fret low E—subject to your tweaking with the truss rod or sanding down that new high saddle. Apparently, at one time there was an under-saddle pickup (and there's still an end pin jack), but the pickup and wiring were removed along with the previous bridge and saddle. I haven't missed it; there's enough vintage Gibson mahogany resonance for any venue I've played.
Cosmetically, it looks very good, with its bright sunburst finish evenly “crazed” all over “to let the sound out” as my luthier says. The rosewood fingerboard is highly figured, the binding has aged to a mellow gold, and the big tortoise pickguard is a beautiful contrast with the sunburst. Since it has its share of dings, a bit of buckle rash on the back, and some parts have been replaced, it’s not going into anybody’s museum; it’s “only” a great-playing 1960s Gibson, a really cool music machine which can bang with the banjos or just keep the porch warm for decades to come. And, of course, the sound is pure vintage Gibson!
The included vintage chip board case is not original, as it’s a bit large for the smaller LG body. However, the somewhat tarnished hardware all works fine, and the crimson interior is in very good shape. It offers quite adequate protection and of course is a cool vintage complement for this vintage instrument.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions before offering to purchase it. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this cool Gibson guitar.