Gibson L-0 H-Braced Flat Top Guitar Natural, 1926/27 [USED]

The Gibson L-0 H-Braced flat top guitar was built in small numbers as Gibson transitioned from the arched L-series towards flat tops and X-bracing, and sometimes ladder bracing. This example is very early in the model's run, likely by late 1926.  

This is a rare guitar, and the model is most often is associated with a photograph of Robert Johnson. Showing definite signs of having been used as intended, it is in good working order and has over the years been given necessary service.  The ebony pyramid bridge appears to have been removed and reglued using a pair of locating pins that do not extend to the bridge plate.  The neck also appears to have been reset many years ago, and refretted with modern, wider wire.   The intonation ranges from about 3 cents to 12 cents sharp, treble to bass.    

It plays well, and has a pretty loud, bright, full tone, ideal for delta blues and ragtime styles.  The fingerboard is relatively wide at almost 1.9 inches (48.1mm), great for fingerstyle. 

The bracing on this guitar is light and strings heavier than standard light gauge should not be used.  

A newer fiber (cardboard) case is included. 

Construction and Materials 

Early L-0 and L-1 models differed primarily in appointments and woods - the L-0 tended to use Birch for the sides and back with binding only on the top while the L-1 used Mahogany and both the top and back were bound.  The 12-fret neck uses a dovetail joint.  In these early models, the body has a rounded shape, which later was flattened out.  

The Gibson L-0 debuted in 1926 as a 13.5 inch wide, 24.25 inch scale, 12-fret neck flat top guitar with Adirondack Spruce for the top, Birch for the back and sides, Mahogany for the body blocks and neck, and Ebony for the unbound fingerboard and pyramid bridge.   The top was bound, the back was not.  The L-1 typically used Mahogany instead of birch, and bound the back as well as the top. The wooden tail pin is original, but the plain strip tuners with black buttons are modern reproductions.  These guitars did not have pickguards.  

This Gibson L-0 dates to later 1926, or possibly 1927 based on construction features. Visible through the sound hole, stamped on the neck block, is a four digit FON – Factory Order Number. It was built at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

There are two cleats visible through the sound hole on the back, and quite a bit of honest wear to the top finish.  At some point, a pickguard was added and later removed, leaving the 'vintage tan line' of its outline.  

This guitar is now set up with light gauge strings. Low tension strings like these, or an extra light set of acoustic strings are highly recommended as the H bracing on this model is light.

At this time, the now-standard steel string X bracing was not common, ‘Ladder Bracing’ was not yet in vogue, and on this guitar, a short-lived system referred to as ‘H Bracing’ appears. This consists of a pair of long braces similar to the tone bars found on arched-top instrument tops with one transverse brace with varying orientations. Some of the transverse braces are angled, others run nearly straight across.

Production of the Gibson L-0 ended in 1933 and restarted in 1937.  The model was discontinued in 1942, a victim of wartime material shortages.

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

 

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DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  L-0
• Instrument Manufacturer:  Gibson
• Instrument year:  1926 - 1927
• Instrument Finish:  Natural
• Instrument Class:  Steel String Acoustic Guitar
• Instrument serial number:  FON 8334, built 1926/27 at Kalamazoo Michigan
• Country of Origin:  USA
• Instrument Condition:   Good
• Right-handed 
• Instrument Weight Imperial: 3.476  lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:   1.58 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:    24.33 in
• Scale Length Metric:    618 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:    1.894 in
• Nut Width Metric:  48.10 mm
• CITIES Documentation Required:  No
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  No
• Items in Case: N/A
• Case Type: Fibre (Cardboard) 
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 190774

 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here