Up for sale, a 1957 Gibson LG-3 in collector-grade condition, complete with the original chipboard case. The LG-3 was Gibson's highest-tiered small body acoustic offered in the '50s, and this example has a coveted combination of tonewoods and a bold, expressive sound to match. Stunningly well-kept, this LG-3 features a solid X-braced spruce top, solid Honduran mahogany back and rims, a one-piece mahogany neck, and a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge.
A miniature cannon with ample projection, this LG-3 fills a room with a single strum, delivering a sound that is both warm and clear. Very balanced and detailed, the wound and plain strings have equal presence. The trebles have a round, punchy quality with a sparkling snap, while the wound strings have bark and breadth. The high treble frequencies have a certain bell-like sweetness, and the instrument has a notably high volume ceiling, retaining clarity and bass register definition, while also being sympathetic to fingerpicking. Featherweight at 3lbs 12oz, this LG-3 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with fresh 12-53 strings, easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
The one-piece Honduran mahogany neck has a substantial baseball bat C-shaped profile carve with full shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .910" deep at the 1st fret and .990" at the 9th. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard retains the original slender fretwire, which shows virtually no wear. The guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The original nylon nut measures 1 11/16" in width. The headstock face retains the original truss rod cover and gold Gibson silkscreen, and the Kluson single line strip tuners have clean plating.
The Brazilian rosewood bridge sits flush with the spruce on all edges (freshly reseated) with sparingly little deflection of the top. A new carved bone saddle has been installed, and the pearloid bridge dots are also modern replacements. The neck shows no evidence of ever being reset, meeting the body at an ideal angle for decades of future trouble-free use. The original red tortoise pickguard is also notably flat. Visible through the soundhole, the bold U-prefix factory order number is intact on the heel block.
The Natural nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting only a few light finish scratches clustered on the upper bout of the back, one tiny doweled strap button mounting hole on the treble-side of the neck heel, and just a few additional minor marks on the instrument as a whole. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, free of palm wear.
The original faux alligator chipboard case is included, with functional latches and the original molded plastic handle.