Gibson L-4 Guitar
Gibson L-4 (1912-1956)
Before the outbreak of the first world war, Gibson dominated the market with their mandolins. Their Guitars such as the L-1 and L-3 were well established but as the big orchestral jazz bands were gaining popularity,
Gibson introduced a finer grand concert size guitar model with the same timbers and old style design like the L1 and L3 called the Gibson L-4.
In 1912 the L-4 featured 12 frets, 16" wide body, oval sound holes, "the Gibson" logo on the peg head, fingerboards had an end piece that surpassed the sound hole very similar to their line of mandolins.
L-4 guitar models has elevated tortoise pick guards, tailpiece with black pins, dot inlays on fingerboards, maple back and sides, mahogany necks and were made in black top finishes (sunburst finishes available during the late teens and throughout the 20s). 14 fret, round sound holes in 1928.
In 1920 right after Orville Gibson died in 1918, a man named Lloyd Loar joined the Gibson company and changed the history of arch-top guitars by designing the infamous L-5 in 1924 which featured f-holes like their mandolins (no round or oval sound holes ).
The Gibson L-5 laid the foundation for all arch top acoustic guitars and jazz guitars until today. (Considered the most significant and historical arch top acoustic guitar in the world).
Because of the L-5s' popularity, in 1935 Gibson added f-holes to their Gibson L-4 models and natural finishes were available during the early 40s, crown peg heads were added in 1946 and double parallelograms inlays on the fingerboards were added in 1947.
Gibson L-4 guitars were discontinued in 1956, they sounded great and were considered a less expensive alternative guitar to the L-5 and more prestigious models than the L-1 and L-3.
Later L-4 Guitar Models & Brief Specs
In 1949 the L-4 C guitar was added to Gibson's production line.. It was a single cut acoustic arch-top available in sunburst and natural colors. Discontinued in 1971.
In 1958 only the L-4 CES guitars were introduced on special orders only.. They had a pointed cutaway, solid spruce top, Charlie Christian pickups (PAF hums), bound rosewood fingerboard, maple back and sides, gold parts with a crown peg head inlay. In 1969 the L-4 CES was introduced but only a few were shipped.
During mid 1986 Gibson reintroduced the L-4 CES with some changes, they had laminate mahogany back and sides, 2 hum bucker pickups, L-5 style tailpiece, triple bound top and back, gold hardware available in amber or vintage sunburst finish. These guitars were renamed L-4 CES Mahogany and were discontinued in 1993.
1994 to 2003 the L-4 Gibson model was fitted with laminated maple. 2004 to 2018 L-4 CES Mahogany was reintroduced with a solid mahogany body. There was also the L-4 A model that existed on the market from 2003 to 2008, the L-4 A model was a mid size jumbo rounded cutaway with a lower bout.
> Look For Used Or Vintage Gibson L Guitars For Sale.
| Gibson L-4 Price Guide (Updated April-28-2021) |
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ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a vintage Gibson acoustic archtop from the '30s...I believe it's an L-4. I'm heading overseas for 6 months, and I'm planning on storing the guitar in my parents' house during that time, but I want to make sure it's stored properly. I know I should loosen the strings, but I'm not sure what to do about humidity.
Do you have any advice regarding humidity for storing and keeping vintage guitars? I've seen several types of small humidifiers - one that clips to the strings, some that fit in the soundhole - but I have no knowledge about which is appropriate. Any help would be most appreciated. thanks!
~Tom
i have a gibson guitar that looks simular to this one except mine says its a L48 can someone get back to me ill feel free to dend them pics
ReplyDeleteAt my Dad's house, I found an old Gibson L-4 guitar with the f-holes in a light natural finish. Since it also has the double parallelograms inlays on the fingerboards, I assumed it was made between 1947 and 1956. However, I am confused since the serial number indicates it was made in 1941. How would you suggest I resolve this conflict? Is it possible this is a custom L-4 made in 1941?
ReplyDeleteWalter
I have a vintage Gibson L4, serial in high 48400's & fon in the 11160's that makes it 1918... Logo is "The Gibson" in script and on an angle. Oval white label inside round sound hole. Is in pretty darn good condition for being 90 years old. Hope I look as good at the same age... No defects, maybe some surface stuff... All original and has the case... just no handle on the case. It has been in its case pretty much full time since 1953. Any idea on value?
ReplyDeleteI have a Gibson L4, serial number 88889 in the original case. It still plays great. Any idea what the value is on something like this? It has "The Gibson" written in cursive, inlaid with mother of pearl at the top of the neck, fret dots are also mother of pearl. The metal thing that holds the strings at the other end has a date stamped into it, July 10, 1910. I just wondered how much it's worth.
ReplyDeleteI have a '41 Gibson L4 Blond serial #93513 that has never been babied and has about a million hours played on it (plays like a dream too!) and I was told by an expert in vintage Gibson's recently that insured value needs to be $4,000 minimum.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a 1930's "F" hole L-4 in playable condition. I'm looking for one with a narrow neck and early "V" shape jazz neck Preferably not modified with an electric pickup.. Anybody got one please contact me.
RBarn64850@aol.com
I own a 1954 sunburst cutaway with a floating DeArmond pickup. It is also signed on the back by George Benson.
ReplyDeleteA fretjob was done over 25 years ago by the great Roger Sadowsky in NY. I only use now for special ocassions. Never connected with the new dual-pickup humbucker versions which are obscenely overpriced.
What does the L in any of the Gibson guitars with an L prefix stand for? Later models have a J which stands for Jumbo. Could it be that because Gibson started out making Mandolins that L was a reference to the size Large?
ReplyDeleteMy husband bought a Gibson with F holes and single rather than double mother of pearl inserts on the neck. He bought it used in 1957. We don't know if it is a L4 but think it may be. However, we don't know how to find the serial number. Can anyone enlighten me? Also, how can we make sure if it is an L-4?
ReplyDeleteWe just found a Gibson L-4 serial #94066. Does anyone know where or who we can write to and find out the age and worth of this beautiful guitar??
ReplyDeletecchounard@wi.rr.com
I have an archtop but I'm having trouble identifying the model and year. It looks like a maple back with spruce top & sides. It has a stenciled serial number inside the f-hole X8403 20 . White plastic tuners, truss rod, sunburst finish with black peghead and Stenciled Logoon top on a slant. I was told a 1952 L48 but I don't think thats correct.
ReplyDeletekenv55@hotmail.com