Gibson L-30

[Arthur V.]

I would like to build a Gibson L-30, based on an L-00 plan.
The depth of the body is a difficult thing, however, as the info I find on the net is very different.
Anyone own a pre-war Gibson L-30? I would like to know the exact body depth, measured at the neck and at the heel.
Thanks in advance!

[Filmosound 621]

I have a 1941 Kalamazoo KG-21, it has a body depth of 87mm in the front and 112mm in the rear.

it is one sweet guitar.

strung with Thomastiks JS #11.

[Gitterbug]

What an incredible resource this Forum is!

[Filmosound 621]

it's not the same guitar ...

looks, sounds and feels like a Gibson though.

might be very close in specs., let's wait until a custodian of a real 30's Gibson chimes in.

[Arthur V.]

The dimensions I found online so far are very different, varying from 75 mm to 95 mm, whether or not different between neck and heel.
The dimensions I now get from you, Filmosound, are the same as those on the plan of a (flat top) L-00 I want to use. Which is interesting, but also confusing.
Thanks a lot, but I'll wait for any further responses.
(cool Kalamazoo, by the way!)

[citizenk74]

I would like to build a Gibson L-30, based on an L-00 plan.
The depth of the body is a difficult thing, however, as the info I find on the net is very different.
Anyone own a pre-war Gibson L-30? I would like to know the exact body depth, measured at the neck and at the heel.
Thanks in advance!

Best of luck with your project! Please keep us posted on the Builder's Bench sub-forum!

[Filmosound 621]

The dimensions I now get from you, Filmosound, are the same as those on the plan of a (flat top) L-00 I want to use. Which is interesting, but also confusing.

I bought the guitar to be my grab and go to the couch 00 guitar - I am happy to say, that it works just perfectly for that.

00 size, solid spruce top, solid hog back, sides and neck, all plus 80 years old, what could go wrong.


I purchased it unplayed from Sweden a while ago, looks as if it has not been played much in all the decades,

was in bad need of a nut job, has a great 40's Gibson neck and feel to it.

sounds very warm and very sweet, like an old 00.

[Grez]

I have a 1936 L30 as my living room acoustic. It is 82mm deep at the neck block. 88mm at the waste and from bridge back to the tail block it is 90mm. The side taper is very gradual, I can't see distinctly where it starts with the naked eye but it's about 78mm behind the waste. The flat back is Maple, I think, has 4 pyramid shaped braces and is about 2.5mm thick.

All the best,
Barry

[Arthur V.]

This is the info I was looking for, Barry, thank you so much!