Up for sale, a 1954 Gibson L-48 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case and outfitted with a K&K pickup. The L-48 was introduced in 1946 as an alternative to the famous L-50, and this non-cutaway archtop has a 16” wide bout and a 3 1/2“ body depth.

Tonewoods include a Honduran mahogany top, sides and one-piece neck, as well as a maple back. Currently strung with flatwound 12-52 nickel strings, the tone is extremely articulate, balanced, and warm. This L-48 is ideal for complex Jazz voicings and sweet, woody percussive chording. The present midrange has excellent chop, and the trebles are sparkling and round. The bass register is smooth and full, blooming nicely as notes sustain. Weighing 5lbs 1oz, this archtop has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: "Baseball bat” C, measuring 915” 1st fret, .980” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, dot inlay
• Frets: Slender, leveled and crowned, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-2
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, nylon
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe double-line strip (modern)

Body Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany, Maple
• Bridge: Brazilian rosewood, trapeze tailpiece
• Pickups: K&K Pure Archtop pickup (passive)
• Plastics: One-ply tortoise pickguard
• Factory Markings: X-prefix Factory Order Number stamp translates to ‘54

The gloss Sunburst nitro lacquer finish presents very well, with broad vertical checking on top and tighter checking on the back. Much of the original back binding has been reglued, with a tiny bit of binding shrinkage at the neck heel and some overspray at the waist on both rims. There is only one very short/slight repaired split on the treble-side mahogany rim on the upper bout, and cosmetic wear is otherwise limited to some minor dings and scuffs from careful use, with only a few marks on the neck profile length. A strap button has also been added to the neck heel.

A modern hardshell case is included.