Pre-War Gibson Archtops

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This is one of just two L-5s known to have been shipped in 1923 and as such is the earliest documented example. Interest...
10/08/2025

This is one of just two L-5s known to have been shipped in 1923 and as such is the earliest documented example. Interestingly it has maple back and sides – most Loar signed L-5s have a birch back – and there is no evidence of a Virzi Tone Producer ever having been fitted. The tailpiece has been replaced and the pickguard is missing. More pix and info here: https://prewargibsonl-5.com/serial-number-72268

One of 110 16-inch L-5s shipped in 1935, serial number 91774 appears to be part of a batch of five similar instruments t...
01/08/2025

One of 110 16-inch L-5s shipped in 1935, serial number 91774 appears to be part of a batch of five similar instruments that were produced in October of 1934. They are described in Gibson’s shipping ledgers as “thick top, old style” instruments. More on this guitar here: https://prewargibsonl-5.com/serial-number-91774

All known Loar-signed L-5s had maple rims and a birch back with the exception of serial numbers 72268, 76478, 77400 and ...
23/07/2025

All known Loar-signed L-5s had maple rims and a birch back with the exception of serial numbers 72268, 76478, 77400 and 77410, which had maple back and rims. L-5s built after Lloyd Loar’s departure from Gibson in December 1924 have figured maple back and rims.

One of just 56 Advanced L-5s shipped in 1935, this example was formerly owned and used by Opry staff musician Steve Gibs...
21/07/2025

One of just 56 Advanced L-5s shipped in 1935, this example was formerly owned and used by Opry staff musician Steve Gibson. It does not appear in the shipping ledgers suggesting that it was sold at the Gibson factory. More on this guitar here: https://prewargibsonl-5.com/serial-number-91329

Guitarist Norman Blake with rare 1936 Century of Progress Gibson L-75:
02/07/2025

Guitarist Norman Blake with rare 1936 Century of Progress Gibson L-75:

Gibson used nitrocellulose-based plastic for its bindings, pickguards and – in the case of some block neck L-5s – its fi...
26/06/2025

Gibson used nitrocellulose-based plastic for its bindings, pickguards and – in the case of some block neck L-5s – its fingerboard inlays!

Introduced in June 1931, the Epiphone Deluxe was intended to compete with the Gibson L-5. Both guitars carried a $275 p...
22/06/2025

Introduced in June 1931, the Epiphone Deluxe was intended to compete with the Gibson L-5. Both guitars carried a $275 price tag and the De Luxe Masterbilt remained Epiphone’s flagship model from 1931 until late 1935, when the Emperor was introduced. Go here to view more rivals to the prewar Gibson L-5: https://prewargibsonl-5.com/rivals-and-revivals/

This is the third L-5PN shipped. It left Kalamazoo in 1939 and has features typical of the first cutaway models includin...
18/06/2025

This is the third L-5PN shipped. It left Kalamazoo in 1939 and has features typical of the first cutaway models including a 25 ½-inch scale length, parallel top bracing and a fingerboard that is glued flush to the top of the guitar rather than being elevated as on the non-cutaway L-5:

During the pre-war period some Gibson archtops were factory fitted with a Vibrato Tailpiece. Two types were in use: the ...
09/06/2025

During the pre-war period some Gibson archtops were factory fitted with a Vibrato Tailpiece. Two types were in use: the Vib-Rola tailpiece, that appeared in Gibson’s 1934 catalogue W (below left) and the Vibra-Rest, which is pictured in Gibson’s 1937 catalogue Y (below right). More on Gibson’s prewar hardware here: https://prewargibsonl-5.com/hardware/

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