Gibson L-48 Acoustic Archtop Guitar Sunburst, 1947 [USED]

Produced from 1946 to 1971, the 16 inch wide Gibson L-48 Archtop Acoustic Guitar was the entry into Gibson's Archtop lineup.  This guitar has 'Made in the USA' stamped into the finish at the top of the back of the head, indicating that it was destined for export, almost certainly to Canada. 

Condition and Construction

This beautiful Gibson L-48 is in very good, almost all original condition with just a couple of cracks in the back near the neck block.  Fret wear is light and it plays well, with plenty of projection and volume.  As an archtop guitar, it lacks the low-end output that a flat-top model would have but in some musical contexts that's a distinct advantage.   

This particular example is in very clean, glossy finish.  A previous owner took time to clean and buff but not refinish the guitar, and so it is glossier than most instruments of its age. 

Construction of the Gibson L-48 varied over the years.  When introduced in 1946 and into 1947, some examples like this one had solid Spruce tops and Spruce bracing, but for the majority the top was Mahogany.  The sides and back were steam pressed, solid Mahogany.  The body blocks, linings and neck were Mahogany.  The fingerboard and bridge were Brazilian Rosewood.   The finish was a nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst finish.  

For hardware, a pair of strip-style tuning machines with creme buttons were at the head, and a trapeze tailpiece at the other end. Here, the original trapeze tailpiece has been replaced with what appears to be a Gibson tailpiece from 1959-1961 ES-125 part. This specific tailpiece was also used on Harmony, the Guild X-150, and 1961 Epiphone Sorrento models.   The pickguard is a single-layer Faux-Tortoise plastic. 

There is no serial number, instead there is a FON (Factory Order Number) visible through the treble F-Hole. That FON and the construction details place it in 1947.

Sold with a modern brown Gibson USA hard shell case. The case handle could be replaced. 

Model History

Orville Gibson patented the Archtop guitar (and Archtop Mandolin and its relatives) around 1897, blending violin family construction concepts with guitar and mandolin techniques. This radical advance caused an almost instant change in the Mandolin world, but guitars had developed enough that other body styles remained popular and very usable.  However, as stage volumes inevitably rose and amplification didn't yet exist, Archtops came into their own especially as rhythm instruments in big bands.  

Introduced in 1946 and aimed towards music students suddenly free of military service,  the Gibson L-48 quickly found favor with countless others who needed an inexpensive, quality and LOUD instrument to play in local or working bands.  The lack of ornamentation kept the cost down.   

At introduction, the L-48 used solid woods- a Mahogany or Spruce top, Mahogany back, sides, neck and body blocks plus Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboard and bridge. 
In 1952, the L-48 changed to a standard Spruce top and the back shifted to Maple.  By 1954, some models had Laminate Mahogany top. For 1957, the top and sides were laminate Mahogany, and advertised as having Laminate Maple for the back, though many were in fact laminate Mahogany.  From this point to 1971 when the model was discontinued, there was only one meaningful change:  Around 1965, Indian Rosewood began to replace Brazilian sourced woods. 

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

 

---

DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  L-48 Archtop Acoustic
• Instrument Manufacturer:  Gibson
• Instrument Year:  1947
• Instrument Finish:  Sunburst Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Instrument Class:  Archtop Guitars
• Instrument Serial Number:  FON 829, materials and FON date to 1947 at Kalamazoo
• Country of Origin: USA
• Instrument Condition:  Very Good
• Playing Condition: Very Good
• Right-handed  
• CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
• Instrument Weight Imperial:  4.356 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:  1.98 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:  24.75 in
• Scale Length Metric:  628.6 mm
• Nut Width Imperial: 1.699 in
• Nut Width Metric:  43.17 mm
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  No
• Case Type: Hard
• Items in Case: N/A
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 189548

 

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