Up for sale, a 1952 Gibson L-50 in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. A model that enjoyed a particularly long production run (1932-71), the L-50 holds the distinction of being the most popular Gibson acoustic archtop ever produced.

A premium archtop with a 16 ¼” lower bout and the same general dimensions as the upscale L-4, the L-50 boasts a hand-carved spruce top, maple back and rims, and a one-piece Honduran mahogany neck capped with a bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard. This Gibson delivers ample projection and power; plucky and percussive, the midrange is both warm and immediate, yielding a lively response with the ideal combination of woody chop and articulation. The trebles are sweet and punchy, and there’s a distinctive focus and depth to the wound strings. This L-50 weighs 4lbs 12oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Honduran mahogany
• Shape: Round C, measuring .890” 1st fret, .980” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, flared trapezoid inlays
• Frets: Sender “banjo,” lightly leveled/crowned, light wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, nylon
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe “no line”

Body Specs:

• Wood: Spruce, maple
• Hardware: Brazilian rosewood bridge, diamond trapeze tailpiece
• Plastics: Five-ply wide bevel pickguard
• Serialization: Z-prefix Factory Order Number dates to ‘52
• Factory Markings: Faint model stamp (bass-side F hole)

The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, with tight lacquer checking throughout. An exceptionally well-kept example for an instrument of this vintage, cosmetic wear is limited to some expected pick wear across the guard and various minor dings and finish scratches consistent with decades of careful use, predominantly on the top and lower bout perimeter. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, with a few shallow marks that are not distracting to the palm.

A vintage black tolex hardshell case is included.