Gibson L-4C Archtop, 1952 (consignment) Sold

Here is a very nice Gibson L-4C from 1952. The L-4C was a cutaway version of the L4, and while this guitar was originally fully acoustic the pickup has been added to the pickguard so the body isn’t modified.

The Gibson L-4 and Gibson L-4C feature a fully hollow body with a carved spruce top coupled with maple laminate back and sides. The L-4 was produced from 1912 to 1956 and the L-4C was produced from 1949 to 1971.

This is a great guitar for jazz!

A Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard and split parallellogram position markers, features a black headplate, mother of pearl leaf and Gibson logo inlays. The standard Gibson 24.75″ scale length and 1 5/8″ nut width are used.  This instrument has been refretted and there is slight fret wear, but there’s still plenty of playability.

The Gibson L-4C guitar body looks exactly like what became the ES-175 – but with a spruce top and laminate maple back and sides.   The spruce provides improved tone, and the laminate adds feedback resistance – and lower cost, compared to carved solid maple.

The original natural gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in good condition, with some pick scratches on the top and play wear on the back of the neck.

The Kluson tuners, and tailpiece are original; a Tune-o-matic bridge has been added along with a Johhny Smith pickguard mount pickup.

This guitar plays well; currently strung with flatwounds.A Late 1960’s Gibson hardshell case is included.


Serial Number: A12813, built 1952 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Pricing: $3,500.00 Canadian with case.  SOLD

Status:  SOLD