Up for sale, a circa 1933 Gibson L-7 in excellent condition, complete with a vintage hardshell case. Only seen on L-7s crafted from the model’s introduction in 1932 to the first half of ‘34, this L-7 sports the same 16” lower bout width seen on early L-5s, identical to that model save for some minor cosmetic appointments. This particular L-7 benefits from the maintenance due an instrument of this vintage, including a professional neck reset, full refret, and a replica tortoise pickguard.

Tonewoods include a hand-carved spruce top and curly maple back, paired with solid maple rims, a mahogany neck and bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Tonally, this L-7 is crisp and clear, yielding an ideal blend of smooth, woody low-end cut and sweet brilliance. Designed to project in large jazz ensembles, this L-7 has plenty of midrange chop and harmonic bloom, with a certain natural reverb-like airy breadth associated with the finest early carved-top Gibson archtops. This L-7 weighs 4lbs 10oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-52 nickel roundwound strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Substantial V, measuring .990” 1st fret, 1.065” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, Nick Lucas-style variegated inlays, faint wear behind frets 1-2
-Frets: Slender, refret, light wear beneath B and High E strings on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 3/4”, bone (modern)
-Tuners: Grover Sta-Tite open-gear, butterbean buttons (original with new mounting screws, evidence of a previously removed tuner set below current gears)

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce (parallel tonebar bracing), curly maple
-Hardware: Ebony floating bridge, “Patented July 19, 1910” trapeze tailpiece
-Plastics: Bound red tortoise pickguard (vintage-accurate modern replacement)
-Factory Markings: “Guaranteed” white oval label at bass-side F hole with faint model and serial stamps
-Marquetry: Ivoroid binding, unbound F holes

The is a single, professionally-addressed centerline split on the back extending from the neck heel about 4". The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting some lacquer checking, pick wear across the strum path on top, buckle rash central to the back, and some minor nicks and finish scratches from the past 90+ years. There’s palm wear on the neck profile, and a few marks along the profile length that don't distract the palm while fretting.

A circa 1960s black tolex hardshell case is included. The case has a white accent painted on the lid, functional latches and a replacement handle.