Gibson L-12 1933
By 1933, Gibson began to see a need to diversify its archtop guitar offerings in the face of a changing marketplace and new competition by Epiphone.
In 1932, new less costly versions of the 16” f-hole archtop L-5 were cataloged as the models L-7, L-10 and L-12. Interestingly, a few L-10 and L-12 models predating 1932 with simple appointments were produced bearing 1929 and 1930 serial numbers.
This 1933 L-12 was one model below the L-5 at the time. Gold plated hardware, fancy banjo inlays and an ornamented headstock made a rich statement and set it apart from the L-5 with its simple block style fretboard inlays. It had a carved spruce top, maple back and sides and a mahogany neck.
This example has replacement tuners, but originally had gold plated Grovers of the period.
Courtesy D. Buettner
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