This L-50 is one of the fairly rare example to have all of the build features of the higher end Gibson archtops. Rather than having the flush mounted fretboard extension most commonly seen on the L-50, it has the neck joint with the elevated extension. It also has the even less commonly seen solid, carved, arched, maple back, rather than the usual flat back. This means while it has the simplest aestetic features (dot fretboard inlays, just a Gibson logo on the headstock, single ply body binding, and no neck binding) it has the same build as a 16-inch L-7, L-10, or L-12. The elevated extension allows room for the mounting of a floating pickup if desired.
Acoustically, this example is an absolute cannon. It ranks up there with the best projecting 16-inch Gibsons I've come across. It also has great clarity and note separation as well. We've had many pre-war L-50s in the shop and this one is a standout.
The guitar is in all original condition with original tuners (well functioning), bridge, tailpiece, pickguard, and even frets. The original endpin is in place, but the tip has been broken off. While I do not find a factory order number in this particular guitar, based on the overall features, I have only seen the combination present on this guitar on examples from 1937. It's possible the year could be slightly off, although I have never seen the elevated fingerboard earlier than 1935 or later than 1937.
The first four frets show some wear with some amount of divoting, but the guitar still plays quite easily throughout its full range. There is some very mild pitting of the fretboard around the first three frets. The action is currently set at 5/32" at the 12th fret on the low E string, and 4/32" on the high E string. The neck has the usual V-shape seen in these Gibsons of the mid-1930s.
The neck is generally smooth with only a few very slight, almost unnoticeable dents along the edge of the V. The back and sides are free of cracks. The top has two repaired cracks. The most noticeable crack is the one seen in the lower bout bass side alongside the tailpiece. It has been glued and cleated. There is also a small crack in the upper bout stemming from the screwhole mount for the pickguard alongside the neck. This one has also been glued.
Weight - 4.1 pounds
Nut width - 1.76 inches
1st fret depth - 0.99 inches
10th fret depth - 1.09 inches
Scale length - 24.75 inches
The guitar comes with fully functional molded ABS Gator case which fits the guitar very well.
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