Here is a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of guitar history. Gibson invented the archtop guitar, and the pre-war L-7 represented the peak of their innovation in that arena. This 1939 model is a stunning example, featuring the desirable X-bracing that gives it a rich, complex, and powerful voice that only comes from a golden-era Gibson.
This L-7 is in Very Good condition for an instrument that has lived for 85+ years. It has been carefully assessed by our techs and is completely structurally sound, from the bracing to the neck joint. As is expected with an X-braced archtop of this vintage, the top has sunk some over the years, but it is stable and does not prevent this guitar from being dialed in. It has just had a professional setup and plays wonderfully.
The guitar is all original, including the frets, which show moderate wear (primarily along the B & E strings. It shows the expected cosmetic dings, scratches, and bruises of a life well-lived (see pics for detail). The pickguard bracket has been reglued to the underside of the pickguard, but the original hardware is intact. This is a solid, inspiring, and beautiful-sounding pre-war Gibson, ready for its next chapter. It ships in a hardshell case.
- **Model:** Gibson L-7
- **Year:** 1939
- **Body Style:** 17" Archtop
- **Top:** Solid Spruce
- **Back & Sides:** Solid "Flame" Maple
- **Neck:** Figured Maple
- **Fingerboard:** Rosewood
- **Bracing:** X-Braced
- **Electronics:** None
- **Bridge:** Rosewood
- **Scale Length:** 25.5"
- **Weight:** 5 lbs 14 oz
- **Finish:** Sunburst
- **Condition:** Very Good. Structurally sound. Shows expected cosmetic wear, moderate original fret wear, and a reglued pickguard bracket. Top has some stable, age-appropriate sinking.
- **Included:** Hardshell case.
