'50s Gibson L-7C

[lawson-stone]

I have an old Heritage pick-guard mount "red sticker" pickup that is pretty thin.

It has two pins that would mount into a wooden block glued to the underside of the pickguard.

[mr. beaumont]

A DeArmond "Guitar Mike" is a good option to. Pretty much sounds like a rhythm cheif...for a lot less $.

[john_a]

I just have to figure out the best way to electrify it.
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The L7C acoustic is bigger, but probably lighter than your 175, if that L7 is anything like mine.
I went through a bunch of floating pickups since getting the L7C used in the late 1970's, but settled on one particular Johnny Smith that was the roughest looking Gibson floater I tried, but clearly the best for me.
I had also tried more than one Howard Roberts floater, and each of these Gibson pickups had their own variation.

But what I had to add here is to recommend using an endpin jack, as there is a block inside the guitar that makes it fit solidly (more secure than having a mini jack underside of pickguard.) And the cable from the floater is hidden by the pickguard to where it goes inside the F-hole. I have volume pot mounted on pickguard, though if I was doing it over today I might use the Schatten thumbwheel pots.

So the endpin jack means you need to ream a hole to size where the old end pin sits inside the tailpiece plate. May seem scary to make a big hole in a vintage instrument, but it really is the safest place to work a jack onto that acoustic.

Congratulations on the trade, I think you did very well -- that L7C looks beautiful and should sound great, esp. amplified !

John

[floatingpickup]

I think the hand wound KAs are a much better choice. I changed from the Jazzy Joes to hand wound KA12 poles on two guitars, like them much better as they are smoother and more detailed.

I have a '53L7C which i equipped with a Bartolini floater and find this a very good combination. Very warm and "woody" sound, yet clear and transparent. The only disadvantage is that it has no adjustable polepieces.

Last time I checked, Kent Armstrong offered a hand-made JS pickup with six pole pieces. I have one on my Campellone.
Keith

[JazzNote]

I also have just received a handwound 6 pole by Kent a few weeks ago, but have not found time yet to install it. Kent is open to customize it to the customers specific requirements. PM me if you need the contact.

[floatingpickup]

Last time I checked, Kent Armstrong offered a hand-made JS pickup with six pole pieces. I have one on my Campellone.
Keith

I have heard good things about the Lollar JS pickup. I have never tried one, but I am very interested in ordering one myself, based on what some people have told me. It's available with a neck mount or pickguard mount and either a gold or nickel cover (the nickel version would match the other hardware on an L7).
Johnny Smith Style Humbucker: Lollar Pickups
Keith

[omphalopsychos]

A DeArmond "Guitar Mike" is a good option to. Pretty much sounds like a rhythm cheif...for a lot less $.

Truth!

[TLerch]

I have the Lollar JS on my L-7 now ( I changed out the KA after a few weeks of using it. ) and it works great for me, i am going to get another one for a new guitar that I got recently. On the new Pearl Django CD I got a great sound combining the pickup with a mic on the guitar.
the guys at Lollar are great!.
all the best
Tim

[Socraticaster]

It was my 50th birthday last week, and my wife's gift to me was (among other things) permission to dig so far into our savings that we'll be living on rice and beans for the summer in order to buy my dream guitar: a vintage 1952 Gibson L-7C. It's completely original and plays like a dream (there's a repro 'guard on right now, as the original is warped). I'm currently having a McCarty pickguard/pickup unit made for it - pics when that is finished.

Here's a picture of me playing it for the very first time (more pics to come):

[lawson-stone]

Superb. Just superb. Plus being a philosopher, you can employ your vast resources of analysis and explanation to rationalize it!!

These great Gibsons are just a pleasure. Once you dip your fingers in the pixie dust, it's hard to remain objective.

[jazzjames]

Cool guitar man! Congrats!

[Socraticaster]

These great Gibsons are just a pleasure. Once you dip your fingers in the pixie dust, it's hard to remain objective.

By the way, Lawson: thanks so much for the free pickguard. It came in very handy while I wait for my McCarty 'guard to be built.

[Stringswinger]

Congrats. 50 is the new 40 so there is plenty of time to enjoy both the new guitar and the wife.

[fws6]

Conrats and enjoy !

[Rob MacKillop]

That looks gorgeous. I'm sure the three of you will be very happy.

[Max405]

L7C's are special. Being happy is even better!
Sorry it didn't work out with the Heritage pickup I suggested.

You are gonna love this guitar. It was the one I always reached for. It really was.

Joe D

[DRS]

These threads always make me want to kick my own ass for not buying a really nice L7 that came up for sale near here with the stock McCarty pick-up a few years ago.

[pubylakeg]

Congratulations, both on your birthday, and your exquisite choice in guitars.Wishing you many years of great music making with the L7. (and special forum best wishes to Mrs Socraticaster for making a birthday to remember.

..we'll be living on rice and beans for the summer

Nothing wrong with rice and beans!

Yes, absolutely. Push the boat out ! Treat yourself to a new amp as well. Nothing wrong with just beans alone. (Just be sure to keep the windows open and don't go lighting any birthday cake candles.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[skykomishone]

You my man are one seriously lucky dog! What a great picture, guitar, wife, life. Happy Birthday, Happy New Guitar Day! You look like a cat that just chomped on the best mouse ever.

All the best, including playing some lovely ballads for her.

I have a '44 L7, one of the best guitars I've ever owned.

S

[Socraticaster]

Finally took it out on it's first gig this past Thursday - a cool jazz duo gig at a Farmers Market.

[Greentone]

Socraticaster,

Great guitar. IMO, they don't come much finer than a vintage L7C.

I dig the gig photo, too.

[Longways to Go]

Guitar + Flute duo! How great is that?!? I love me some jazz flute.
Looks like you got a beautiful day for it too.
My duo is guitar + bass . . . that's pretty fun too

I haven't gigged my old L7 yet. Dunno why . . . I guess I'm just being overly cautious.
+ I have other guitars that do a perfectly fine job that I don't worry about quite as much.

So did your L7 get a name?

[Greentone]

Socratocaster,

35 years ago, I used to play in a duo with a fellow who played flute and tenor sax. Clarinet, too. It was always a blast to support him. Of the three instruments, I preferred things when we did flute/guitar or clarinet/guitar to tenor sax/guitar. As great a horn as the tenor is, there is just something about the way a flute and the clarinet mix with the guitar...

[rabbit]

I missed this the first time 'round.

There's nothing I can say that's equal to an L-7C but Congratulations!

[Socraticaster]

I just heard back from Bob Burns at Gibson Customer Service - great guy! I sent him some pics and the serial # of the guitar, and here's his reply:

"Hello Travis,

Thanks for sending the pictures of your guitar. The serial number A-xxxxx falls into the range of serial numbers used on instruments built in 1953. After doing some research, it appears the L7C model which had that serial number left Kalamazoo on August 4^th of 1953. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Bob Burns

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON
[email protected]
"

It was nice of him to include the catalog page.

-Travis