j45
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2002
- Messages
- 9,081
Here's one we don't talk about much here. It's the archtop equivalent of the J-45 or maybe even the Les Paul Standard...a pro level, hi-quality workingman's guitar and one Gibson's longest running, most successful models. The "L7" is also the single best bang for the buck archtop ever to come out of Kalamazoo. The L7 is the same "guitar" as an L-5, the exact scale and body dimensions, bracing, same carved spruce top, maple back and sides, etc.
The only real difference between the L7 and L5 or L7-C and L5-C is cosmetics and a huge amount of money. The L5 gets fancier binding, inlays, headstock ornament, gold plated engraved tailpiece, gold plated tuner upgrade, ebony board, and fancy bound tortoise pickguard. For a fraction of the L5's heavy price tag you can get the guitar that is every way equal as a fine instrument and honestly, I believe no less beautiful.
That you can still find these hand carved solid spruce top works of art (non-cutaway versions) made 60 and 70 years ago for UNDER $2k is insane. Gibson would probably charge us $6K-$7K or more to custom shop recreate one of these in the same fashion and you would still not have near the wood these oldies have. A true "Golden Era" vintage Kalamzoo cutaway L7-C model will cost you no more than a used R9. They are (or equal to) the finest hand made instruments ever built and shipped by Gibson.
I had three L7's in my collection a few years ago. Owned quite a few more in the past. In 2006 I had two 1930's non-cut models and this (pics below) relatively rare 1948 L-7P or "Premier" model. Gibson used the "P" designation for the "C" or cutaway models in the first or "premier" year they were introduced.
So here's a thread in tribute to one of Gibson's finest yet littlest talked about guitars. I know there are other members that own L7's so feel free to post pics.
1948 Gibson L7-Premier
The only real difference between the L7 and L5 or L7-C and L5-C is cosmetics and a huge amount of money. The L5 gets fancier binding, inlays, headstock ornament, gold plated engraved tailpiece, gold plated tuner upgrade, ebony board, and fancy bound tortoise pickguard. For a fraction of the L5's heavy price tag you can get the guitar that is every way equal as a fine instrument and honestly, I believe no less beautiful.
That you can still find these hand carved solid spruce top works of art (non-cutaway versions) made 60 and 70 years ago for UNDER $2k is insane. Gibson would probably charge us $6K-$7K or more to custom shop recreate one of these in the same fashion and you would still not have near the wood these oldies have. A true "Golden Era" vintage Kalamzoo cutaway L7-C model will cost you no more than a used R9. They are (or equal to) the finest hand made instruments ever built and shipped by Gibson.
I had three L7's in my collection a few years ago. Owned quite a few more in the past. In 2006 I had two 1930's non-cut models and this (pics below) relatively rare 1948 L-7P or "Premier" model. Gibson used the "P" designation for the "C" or cutaway models in the first or "premier" year they were introduced.
So here's a thread in tribute to one of Gibson's finest yet littlest talked about guitars. I know there are other members that own L7's so feel free to post pics.
1948 Gibson L7-Premier