Gibson 1935 L-50

Product Description

Gibson 1935 L-50

That dry, earthy attack and thick midrange you hear on swing jazz and country blues records. Modern archtops simply can't produce the sound of a genuine, nearly 90-year-old wood resonance, and pre-war Gibson vintage instruments rarely appear on the market at all, with prices only climbing. Settle for a modern model instead, and you'll never reach the historical depth you're truly after, trapped in an endless search for gear.

For the L-50, born in 1932, 1935 marks an extremely important turning point in the model's history. That year, it moved on from its earlier, smaller body to a full 16-inch body and f-holes matching the higher-end L-5, evolving into a true archtop-style instrument. This is a historically significant, highly usable vintage that lets you experience the very essence of pre-war Gibson.

[A Voice Shaped by 90 Years of Aging]
The arched spruce top has dried out to the fullest extent possible. The thick, dry, percussive attack you get the instant you pick a note is a pre-war-specific tone that artificial aging simply cannot replicate.

[16-Inch Body]
The wide, 16-inch body and f-holes adopted from this year onward produce a full, resonant box tone that suits everything from jazz chord work to earthy blues fingerpicking.

[The Thick V-Neck of the Pre-War Era]
A solidly substantial V-shaped neck, iconic of 1930s Gibson. The rich mass of this neck is the main driving force behind its solid, full-bodied tone.

Examples from this landmark transitional 1935 specification, that also retain enough playability for modern performance, are constantly fought over by players and collectors worldwide. Encountering a pre-war archtop that has survived 90 years of history like this one is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we can't promise when a comparable example will turn up again.

Experience this instrument's overwhelming historical weight and the genuine, "aged" resonance only a real vintage can deliver, for yourself. Please contact us now to arrange a test-play appointment or request additional photos.

[Spec / Included case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD/BRIDGE: Rosewood
NECK: Mahogany
NUT WIDTH: 44.5mm
SCALE: 635mm
CASE: Non-original hardshell case

[Repairs / replaced parts / condition]
Condition notes reflect only what our inspection could determine on this used/vintage item; please understand this in advance.
- Repaired crack on both sides of the back of the headstock (from the 1st/6th string tuner area toward the nut).
- Repaired crack (patch-reinforced) on the body back.
- A strap pin hole has been drilled into the neck heel cap.
- Tuners have been replaced.
- The finish has an overall over-lacquer coat.

[Playing condition]
- Action at 12th fret: 2.5mm (low E) / 2.0mm (high E)
- Action height adjustable via the wood bridge saddle.
- No fretting-out or buzzing; playing condition is good.

Comes with our shop's 6-month peace-of-mind warranty.