1926 Gibson L-0,

#8810

Condition:

See video for sound sample and the way it looks under raking light

Original Finish,

NOT REFINSIHED but it has been touched up- buffed- scratched- maintained- repeat, through the years

Original case

Top, Back, Sides, Neck: Mahogany

Top:

-"Lazy H" bracing

-Original bridge with original spare pin

-Replacement unslotted ebony bridge pins installed (6)

-3 previously repaired top cracks:

1) Just Bass side of center, in front of bridge- cleated

2) Just Treble side of center, behind bridge- cleated

3)Repaired soundboard crossgrain crack, about the size of half a nickel, in front of the bridge- supported underneath with a replacement b. rosewood bridge plate

-Bracing is tight

-Original binding- tight, unrepaired

-Minor playing wear, finish checking, finish anomalies.

It's 98 years old. It's good

-Original Bridge: B. Rosewood, bone saddle

Back:

-Minor playing wear with minor finish checking and minor finish anomalies

-Original binding- tight, unrepaired

-Braces are tight

Sides:

-Minor playing wear with minor finish checking and minor finish anomalies

-No cracks through the wood, but 3 very fine cracks seen in the finish, but not on the inside; stable... Anyone who knows old mahogany guitars is familiar.

-Original endpin

Neck:

- Painted Gibson script logo in great condition

-Original Waverly tuning machines

-Pre-truss rod neck- frets are level with no buzzing at full pitch

-Original ebony nut

-24+1/4" scale

-Original "Hand barbed" t-frets

-The fretboard might be ebonized maple

-Action is set between a new Martin and a new Fender

-Neck relief is about .007"

Case:

Original case in great condition, Latches work well, one needs to be finessed a little to align before closing. Handle works and is secure:

-Original "warrantee slip". I don't want to take a better picture of it. I'll let the buyer make the call on whether they want to publish a clear picture of an historic document on the internet.

-Early "hatbox" string package with very old strings, felt picks, 5 original bridge pins

-Waverly steel slide

-Steel raised nut

This IS an antique, playing guitar. It is a First Year Gibson Flattop. Gibson sold this style of guitar as "... especially good for Hawai'ian or steel playing..." which the owner took seriously, and which probably saved the frets and nut on this example. The belly bridge pre-dates Martin's belly bridge, and this one is original, albeit repaired. I would not store the guitar under full string tension as this specific bridge design is rare. Any example of a first year bridge is difficult to locate. The second version is bigger. It seems they were gone by the 3rd year. Many of the original bridges have been sanded down until the wings disappear. Not this one. The spare pin is original. They are not a standard size... hard to source, but you don't need to, this one didn't run away.

In fact, this has more old case candy than most listings of century old instruments I've ever seen, the warranty note being the most unique.

The Lazy H bracing has a distinct voice. Obviously, blues and rag. The instrument is a surviving example of a first year Gibson flattop. These Mahogany topped guitars don't tire out as quickly as the spruce topped guitars. It's a good guitar; Genuine, authentically soulful, forgotten and found-- maybe you can relate

It has to be treated like an antique. You wouldn't fly your grandmother back and forth all over the country, so ask questions before purchasing. We prefer that you be someone who understands that this became old because it was treated with respect.

This is a bookmark in history from when Kalamazoo was known as "Celery City." Playing this thing is like shaking hands with the past. This instrument is best for a successful antique collector, who made his fortune from a checkered past and a lot of luck, and is now trying to iron out those stories of heartache and awe on the canvas of traditional American roots music... Here's your paint brush

Thank you for your consideration and patience, and I look forward to knowing it's in good hands