Vintage Acoustic Guitar

           “You know, they just aren't making
1917 Gibson L-1's anymore.” 

The Gibson
L series is one of the greatest and most successful in guitar history.  The model L-1 made its debut in 1902 and was
discontinued in 1925, then re-introduced the next year as a flat-top. This particular guitar was owned by one family for as long as anyone could remember, at least
50 years.  “The Gibson” mother of pearl
inlaid headstock and the serial number, 40612, match 1917 vintage.  It has a "Pumpkin"
orange top finish, dark mahogany back and sides, and beautiful binding on the
neck, top, and sound hole. There are two circles of "rope" inlay
around the sound hole, and the original tortoise shell pick guard is in
excellent condition.  The bridge is original and in great
working shape. The frets show hardly any wear and the famous wide V-shaped neck
and ebony fret board are arrow straight. 
(The action is set medium high at present but is adjustable with the
thumb wheels on the bridge.)

There are
no open cracks on the guitar, though there are three finish cracks on the back and one on the top.  There is a "cleated", professionally repaired crack on the back. 
 There are a few small markings on the inside
back above the Gibson decal…it looks like pen markings; possibly someone was
writing the string names (EAD).  Of
course, it's garnered a few dings from 89 years of life, but it is otherwise, remarkably clean.     

• The tuner heads appear to be  replacements, (plastic replicas.)
• The
  guitar at some time had a professionally applied clear overspray, resulting in
  a brilliant gloss finish. 
• There
  is some discoloration on the back and sides (lighter finish). 

This
instrument is in great playing shape.  It sounds great played with a slide, strummed, or finger
picked, and projects a big voice for such a little box.  It needs no adjustments or work.  It lives in an original L series hard-shell
case, molded to the instruments dimensions and arched face. There are a few nicks in the skin and it needs a new handle, but both the exterior and interior
conditions are superior