What Gibson is this L-4?

[Durban]

Hi what Guitar is Al Defino playing, looks like L4 with floater.

[Stringswinger]

L-4 c

[Woody Sound]

L-4 c

With several upgraded parts, I believe.

[Sam Sherry]

L-4 c

With several upgraded parts, I believe.

As WS notes:

> The tuners are Grover Imperial "stairstep" units

> The pickup is statistically likely to be a Kent Armstrong thin-guy
>> Recall that a vintage L-4C has the fingerboard extension glued flat, rather than flying above, the top

> There's a $1.00 snap-in cap on the pickguard filling a hole
>> That means either Mr. DeFino ditched a tone pot or relocated his volume pot

> Mr. DeFino is sporting the Jazz Sweater of Doom
>> The JSoD conveys major groove power on the wearer (but only at random moments)
> In contrast, Mr. DeFino's gig-partner -- shown punching himself in the face -- wears the Leather Vest of Power
>> The LVoP makes everything the operator plays sound like System of a Down

[Hammertone]

>> Recall that a vintage L-4C has the fingerboard extension glued flat, rather than flying above, the top

Applies more to the L-4. L-4C usually has an elevated board.

>>> The LVoP makes everything the operator plays sound like Soad (System of a Down).

Fixed it for you.

[Woody Sound]

> Mr. DeFino is sporting the Jazz Sweater of Doom

I would be sweating my ass off in one of those on a gig, probably couldn't function.

[jazzkritter]

Ages and stages. Take enough blood thinners and you’ll be wearing that fine garment in July))).

jk

[Fred Archtop]

Now if somebody could tell what is the guitar we see on the left and which clothes has the wearer...

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I don't know if it's been the same guitar, but he's pictured over the years with several versions of it.

Here's a 2019 shot of him on stage with what looks like his L4 but with oddly low pots in the top and what appears to be an intact guard.



Here's a 2018 shot from his Facebook page of what may be the same guitar next to an Eastman. The L4 has the same controls set into the top in an unusually low position, with filled holes in the guard:



Here's a 2011 shot of him with both volume and tone controls on the guard:



Here's a video of him with the same or a similar guitar with the lower knob missing from the shaft (only visible in a few views later in the video).

He obviously favored the L4 / 175 size and character, because he's pictured over the years with at least a few of each (in addition to other guitars).

[Durban]

thanks all, sod the guitar i want a jersey like that, closest thing to that jersey ( called jumper in UK ) is the val Doonigan Christmas jumper a hideous piece of clothing if ever there was.

[sgosnell]

Here's a 2018 shot from his Facebook page of what may be the same guitar next to an Eastman. The L4 has the same controls set into the top in an unusually low position, with filled holes in the guard:

And several unfilled holes as well.