FS: 1935 Gibson L-12

[rpguitar]

Hi gang,

I've just scored a rather special guitar from Gruhn, and now I need to pay for it! So I'm selling a couple of archtops. (More info about the acquisition when it arrives...)

I'll list my blond Eastman AR-904CE separately.

Here I offer my 1935 Gibson L-12. I bought her from archtop.com a couple of years ago. Here is Joe's typically enthusiastic ad copy for it: 1935 Gibson L-12

This guitar is featured in my YouTube video entitled "Approaching the Acoustic Archtop." It's X-braced, 24.75" scale, and is 100% original including the pickguard, case, and the receipt slips that the original owner received when he made weekly payments on the instrument back in the late 1930s! The guitar has plenty of minor playing wear, including finish worn off part of the neck. It's beautiful though, plays well, and sounds deep and rich. The frets are even and in good shape (I just had it evaluated for a re-fret and we decided against it).

In the spirit of total disclosure, I paid $4K USD for it. I'm asking $3500 which is a firm price, and includes PayPal and shipping within the USA. This model and its particular appointments are quite rare. Joe wouldn't budge on his asking price to me, either.

If it doesn't sell privately, I'll probably consign it back to archtop.com. But I thought I'd solicit interest here first.

Here are a couple of photos:

[oldane]

I guess it was the one, you played in this clip?:

Four Acoustic Archtops - YouTube

[rpguitar]

I play it in three videos, none of which really shows the depth of the tone. YouTube, despite being a reference for so many gear demos, really beats up the sound quality.

"Approaching the Acoustic Archtop" <- probably heard best in this one
"Four Acoustic Archtops"
"Archtops: Eastman vs. Gibson"

[Jabberwocky]

That's a great price, Roger. If I don't already have the 1947 L12, I would have taken it. Roger's 1939 is nicer with the historic tailpiece and headstock inlay.

Hope that someone here picks it up.

[rpguitar]

Thank you. Yes, kind of silly how those little things matter. But that's what makes this one look special compared to later ones that look like a regular L-7 only with gold parts. Anyway, it worked for me when I bought it, so maybe it will affect someone else the same way.

[Hammertone]

I have a 1938 L-12 and it is a gorgeous-sounding instrument - great for rhythm, picking and fingerpicking. Fantastic guitars.

These guitars are really hard to find in this condition with their original parts.

Interesting differences in specs that influence tone, IMO:
L-5 - maple neck, ebony board
L-12 - maple neck, rosewood board
L-7 - mahogany neck, rosewood board
L-10 - mahogany neck, rosewood board

[rpguitar]

Just a note that the neck wood is based on the period, more-so than the model. L-5s always have maple necks. The others had mahogany during some period in the 1930s. My L-12 has a one piece mahogany neck. L-7s from the 50s, for example, most assuredly have maple necks. I don't know exactly when the switch occurred, since I assume that your '38 L-12 has a maple neck per your post. Interesting stuff, all this...

[Hammertone]

Originally Posted by rpguitar

Just a note that the neck wood is based on the period, more-so than the model. L-5s always have maple necks. The others had mahogany during some period in the 1930s. My L-12 has a one piece mahogany neck. L-7s from the 50s, for example, most assuredly have maple necks. I don't know exactly when the switch occurred, since I assume that your '38 L-12 has a maple neck per your post. Interesting stuff, all this...

You are right. I was referring the pre-war Advanced body guitars, based on Gibson's own descriptions. Mine does have a maple neck with rounded heel, as have had the half-dozen or so that I have played over the years. Is the heel on yours peaked or rounded? My guess is that Gibson eventually standardized the neck specs as per my list, but I don't know when. I personally like both woods.

Post pix of the back!

[rpguitar]

The back - good point!

It's a large JPEG so I'll link to it instead of posting inline:
http://mybigshirt.net/rdp/img/L12/IMG_5762.jpg

It's a fairly narrow, pointy heel.