For Sale: 1938 Gibson L-C "Century of Progress"

[scopeland8]

SOLD.

Introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair and discontinued in 1938/39. A true piece of Gibson guitar history! One beautiful blues box that is as great sounding as it is looking! A gem of any collection.

Condition: Well cared for and maintained, shows signs of aging typical of this age instrument, all original! Several top (3) and back (2) cracks that have been repaired and are stable, crack at endpin, some minor fret wear, truss rod in good shape, action is a bit high (could use a neck reset in the future), original tuners are functioning well. Includes non-original, high quality Gibson case that fits it perfectly.

Recently set up and full inspection from my luthier. All cracks confirmed repaired and/or stable (see more photos). Happy to send the service sheet to serious buyers.

More photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z5JcBULCCLAM3z8h6

Send me a message and let's make a deal!

[Yooper59]

Nice guitar. I don't think those Grovers in the linked pics are original tuners.

[scopeland8]

Originally Posted by Yooper59

Nice guitar. I don't think those Grovers in the linked pics are original tuners.

Thanks! I'd love more info if you're able to find any records on what tuners Gibson did or did not use in the '30s. It also struck me as odd to see single (rather than 3 on a plate) Grover (rather than Kluson) tuners on this one. However, there is zero evidence of any other tuners ever being installed (no drill marks, no indents, no holes filled) which led me to conclude they are original. I suppose it is possible they were replaced VERY soon after the original purchase but that would also strike me as odd. Given that there is some record of Gibson switching to single tuners from the 3 on a plate design towards the late '30s and the variety of production specs/oddities coming out of Gibson during that time, I'd still lean towards them being original.

[Yooper59]

I used to have a 1935 L-Century and it was a great guitar. I think that the early ones had three on a plate. Later, they switched to single tuners that were similar to yours, but the top and bottom is flat rather than the point and with cream plastic buttons (can't paste in a pic). When I google around, all the later ones have this kind of tuner. They are unmarked, but there are people who know who made them. But Gibson is known for using whatever was handy, so it is possible that they are original. But I don't think so.

[mhw48]

Searching out photographs on the internet of Prewar Century of Progress guitars revealed both individual tuners as well as three on a plate tuners. (That looked original in the photographs) There were also various different types of each, including one that had the same Grover individual tuners as your example (except the buttons were ivoroid):

https://www.retrofret.com/product.asp?ProductID=9227

The use of three on a plate or individual tuners didn’t seem to have anything to do with the date of construction: I found photos of early and late — 1933-38 — examples of both types of tuners.
Looks like typical Gibson inconsistency!

[Yooper59]

Well, maybe I am wrong. I apologize if so. I have a 1940 Martin F-1 archtop that has Grover tuners that look just like the ones on your L-C. Gibson and Martin could probably buy tuners from the same suppliers. It's just that I haven't seen tuners like that on an L-C, and when I had one I did a fair amount of research. That was a good find by mhw48 of one with Grover tuners. I haven't seen any with metal buttons except the Elvis Costello reissues (but I've also seen EC reissues with ivoroid buttons). Yours could be fairly unique. Wouldn't be surprising for Gibson.

[scopeland8]

No need to apologize! I enjoy the conversation around vintage guitars and some of their eccentricities! I do think the marketing folks at Gibson would prefer we use language like “fairly unique” rather than “typical Gibson inconsistency.” But I think both apply! [emoji6][emoji23]

[CoolerKing]

Cool guitar! GLWS.

[mhw48]

Originally Posted by scopeland8

I do think the marketing folks at Gibson would prefer we use language like “fairly unique” rather than “typical Gibson inconsistency.” But I think both apply! [emoji6][emoji23]

Excentricities are part of their charm! In any case, Gibson has built some amazing sounding guitars. This one's a real beauty, good luck with the sale!

[Don Lampson]

Originally Posted by scopeland8

Asking $6600 shipped.

Introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair and discontinued in 1938/39. A true piece of Gibson guitar history! One beautiful blues box that is as great sounding as it is looking! A gem of any collection.

Condition: Well cared for and maintained, shows signs of aging typical of this age instrument, all original! Several top (3) and back (2) cracks that have been repaired and are stable, crack at endpin, some minor fret wear, truss rod in good shape, action is a bit high (could use a neck reset in the future), original tuners are functioning well. Includes non-original, high quality Gibson case that fits it perfectly.

Recently set up and full inspection from my luthier. All cracks confirmed repaired and/or stable (see more photos). Happy to send the service sheet to serious buyers.

More photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z5JcBULCCLAM3z8h6

Send me a message and let's make a deal!

Thanks for the memory! My former neighbor, who got me into playing in assisted living joints, played one... Col. Blanks, was a genuine Knight of the Realm, may he RIP... Good luck with the sale!

Don

[gfirob]

Beautiful guitar, I have always lusted after those, wish I was flush. Seems like a good price too, good luck with it.

[scopeland8]

Originally Posted by gfirob

Beautiful guitar, I have always lusted after those, wish I was flush. Seems like a good price too, good luck with it.

Thanks! It is an incredibly striking guitar visually and sounds great too! Just added a short video clip to the google photos album. Link straight to video here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3LWfAzxYV1bKkwvn8

[Rwpierce]

Very lovely vintage guitar. I have a Fairbanks F-20 NL COP version of this original.

Would love the opportunity to play them side by side. My plays and sounds fabulous and I’m sure this one has all that vintage Gibson dry woodiness to boot!

[scopeland8]

Originally Posted by Rwpierce

Very lovely vintage guitar. I have a Fairbanks F-20 NL COP version of this original.

Would love the opportunity to play them side by side. My plays and sounds fabulous and I’m sure this one has all that vintage Gibson dry woodiness to boot!

Thanks! I saw your listing for the Fairbanks. He’s such an impressive builder. It’s stunning.

I’d also love to hear that comparison!

[scopeland8]

Let's make a deal on a beautiful 1930s Gibson!