My L-7 Heaven

**FredH** · 01-25-2022, 04:23 PM

Hi all. Promised pics of my new 1964 L7 c. Apologies for upside-down photos. It is pictured both with and without the Rhythm Chief 1000. For comparison, I have included my 1968 L7 c with the floater. I have had the 68 for many years and I love it even with the more narrow nut. I had been looking for an early 60s L7 with the standard 1 11/16 and found this one about two months ago. I was looking for one without a pickup so I could use the 56 RC 1000.
I had to replace the pickguard on it because the original was badly warped. Never saw one like this. My luthier - Dave Fecca - of Maple Shade, NJ did the set up and installed the new pickguard. It has been well taken care of - even the case is remarkably clean. An L7 c with a RC 1000 = heaven IMHO.

**wintermoon** · 01-25-2022, 04:27 PM

looks fabulous Fred, that's one clean peanut! congrats and play it in good health....

**Stringswinger** · 01-25-2022, 04:40 PM

May she inspire your playing for many years to come!

**Gitterbug** · 01-25-2022, 05:05 PM

About the guitarest guitar there is.

**Flat** · 01-25-2022, 05:16 PM

Courtesy rotation just cause they are so damn good looking. Congrats on the new guitar!

My L-7 Heaven-20220125_144158-jpg

**wintermoon** · 01-25-2022, 05:18 PM

I'd get your luthier to notch the new guard so the p.u. fits better
just a thought.....

**skykomishone** · 01-25-2022, 05:30 PM

What beauties! The L7 is the real deal. Congratulations. I have a non-cut that refuses to be intimidated by other archtops. Enjoy.

**FredH** · 01-25-2022, 05:45 PM

Thank You! I am going to try to post some more photos later.

**FredH** · 01-25-2022, 05:49 PM

Thanks. I am still experimenting with the location of the RC. The original pickguard was black. Though it is hard to tell from the photos, but I opted for a tortoiseshell to compliment the top.

**FredH** · 01-25-2022, 05:57 PM

Yes. I agree. I don't what it is about the L7. I have an L5 and JS that I gig with and they are wonderful guitars. But the L7 is just different. It is so light and so accoustically pure. Both of mine are a joy to play. And I have heard other L7 players on this forum say the same thing.

**gitrman** · 01-25-2022, 06:10 PM

The perfect pair.

**silverfoxx** · 01-25-2022, 06:42 PM

Superb, they are as rare as Hen's teeth in the UK. Barney's always sounded great to me
the L7 has a distinctive , pleasing tone, much kudos for owning two.

**Strbender** · 01-25-2022, 06:45 PM

Beautiful guitars and I'm sure you'll have many hours of joy playing them

**wintermoon** · 01-25-2022, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

Superb, they are as rare as Hen's teeth in the UK. Barney's always sounded great to me
the L7 has a distinctive , pleasing tone, much kudos for owning two.

BK's was an ES-350 S.F.

**zizala** · 01-25-2022, 06:53 PM

Great pair of L-7c's and interesting to see such beautiful examples from the '60's.
Glad you're happy with them!

I've got a '49 L-7c thats a favorite.

**jazzkritter** · 01-25-2022, 06:58 PM

My first jazz teacher (Bill Bitner) had an L7 and I’ll never forget that sound or how pretty it was.
Collingswood… used to pass through on the commute from LBI to PHL. There any jazz around there?

**Archie** · 01-25-2022, 08:46 PM

Looks amazing Fred. Well done! Hope you enjoy

**Paulie2** · 01-26-2022, 09:27 AM

Beautiful! Congratulations on the find

**Archtop Guy** · 01-26-2022, 09:41 AM

Awesome twosome Fred. I let my reissue go a couple years ago and sorry I did it. Mine was a different animal having a 1 3/4" nut. Ah the mistakes we make! Congrats on your purchase. If you ever feel the temptation of making the same mistake I did,give me a shout. AG

**ronjazz** · 01-26-2022, 10:01 AM

I was loaned an L7 with the McCarty pickup rig as I was learning and getting into jazz. The sound and feel has stayed with me for over 50 years.

**jim777** · 01-26-2022, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by jazzkritter

My first jazz teacher (Bill Bitner) had an L7 and I’ll never forget that sound or how pretty it was.
Collingswood… used to pass through on the commute from LBI to PHL. There any jazz around there?

I'm about 10 minutes or so from there, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

**Woody Sound** · 01-26-2022, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by FredH

Thanks. I am still experimenting with the location of the RC. The original pickguard was black. Though it is hard to tell from the photos, but I opted for a tortoiseshell to compliment the top.

I like the tortoise better too.

**Woody Sound** · 01-26-2022, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I'd get your luthier to notch the new guard so the p.u. fits better
just a thought.....

Easy enough to do it yourself if you have a have a simple grinder or dremel tool.

**jim777** · 01-26-2022, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by ronjazz

I was loaned an L7 with the McCarty pickup rig as I was learning and getting into jazz. The sound and feel has stayed with me for over 50 years.

I played an early 50's blond L7 with a single McCarty pickup in Mandolin Bros. back around '02 or so, and it still haunts me. I had $2k to spend and it was about $4K I think, but it was an instantaneous bonding. Absolutely perfect guitar.

**floatingpickup** · 01-26-2022, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Easy enough to do it yourself if you have a have a simple grinder or dremel tool.

I agree. I have used De’Armond pickups for many years and in my experience, the high e string will typically sound weak when the pickup is in the position shown in the picture. The strings will be more balanced if the pickguard is notched enough to allow the red insert to be fully under the high e string. It will also look better.
Keith