1948 Gibson LG1 – £2499

NEW ARRIVAL   A 40’s LG1 is a rare find indeed. A 00 size guitar with Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, and most importantly ladder bracing. This gives the guitar a quicker attack and quicker fade, and what people consider to be a classic boxy blues sound. Unlike the more easily findable 60’s LG1’s, this guitar sounds, dryer and more woody, with warm undertones. As with a lot of guitars of this age, it’s difficult to guess the exact history, but it looks like the sunburst finish was stripped back, and then the whole guitar was oversprayed – potentially quite a long time ago given the amount of lacquer checking. Possibly at this time, the bridge was replaced. The guitar is in good condition for it’s age, with heavy pick wear around the soundhole, and either side of the fingerboard. It’s a great player, with a full feeling neck and comfortable action, and has an LR Baggs pickup fitted. The teardrop pickguard contrasts really well with the honeyed top, and the Mahogany back is beautifully figured. A bit of an oddity, perhaps, but still a piece of Gibson history from their Golden Era, and a lot more affordable than an original 40’s sunburst model. The guitar comes in a Hiscox flight case.