NGD: Gibson L-00

[Martin_F]

Well, lately I have been so taken by the Gibson sound and I played an L-00 that I just to have! I love it so much. It is probably the most dynamic guitar I have ever played. It can go down way low and come up to being very loud. As you would expect from an L-00, its not crazy loud. But, it's midrange really cuts through. It is also one of the most comfortable guitars to play, so far anyways!

I don't think I can say enough good things about it! For a small body, the bass is actually not bad. I wouldn't think of replacing a dread with it, but for most purposes it would suit fine. It's definitely very responsive to the touch. The guitar is extremely light, so that makes sense.

I got it at a major retailer up here in Canada as a 2018 model that was new-old-stock. It was actually made in 2017 as a 2018 model. The serial number indicates 2017, but the stamped model is 2018. The store told me they just got it from their warehouse not too long ago and that it was probably sitting around there since new waiting for an online order.

It definitely has a Gibson sound to it, although I wouldn't peg it as simply a blues box. I don't find the sound boxy really at all. I have been strumming it, fingerpicking it and playing it hard and it just seems to come back for more. These do not have to be played delicately, they can respond with some power. It is definitely a great folk style guitar.

Here are some pics. I haven't taken the plastic off the pick guard yet, because I wanted to make sure everything was good for a few days (as all guitarists know, our minds change quickly on what is good). So the pick-guard will look dull in the photos.







I'll try to post a recording of it soonish.

Regards,
Martin

[thomasinaz]

Congrats on the new Gibson! The L-00 is a really nice and versatile guitar. Hope you enjoy it for years.

[reeve21]

Beautiful! I love a sunburst on a smaller body guitar.

[jklotz]

Looks great! A classic right there. I hope it serves you well for a long time.

[Goat Mick]

I have had some intense GAS for one of these guitars for a couple of years now. I just can't make myself part with the cash. That one is beautiful. Enjoy it!!

[Dbone]

Martin Buddy, I see you’ve been making some moves...

J45, and now this!

Congrats man

[jweave69]

Yep Congrats! She's putty!

[fartamis]

Congratulations, it's a really beautiful guitar. enjoy it.

[DukeX]

Very nice. Yet another guitar I'd like to own!

[Rosewood99]

Excuse me while I wipe off the drool from my face.

[Martin_F]

Thank you all for the kind words. So far I am very impressed with the L-OO. I think it is a very nuanced and dynamic guitar to play.

These Standard L-00's really have something to them. I am extremely happy.

Originally Posted by Dbone

Martin Buddy, I see you’ve been making some moves...

J45, and now this!

Congrats man

Yes! I have been busy buying too many guitars! I got the J45 because it sounded so beautiful in comparison to the other guitars I had tried. Then I loved the Gibson J45 sound so much, I went to try this L-00 and just had to have it! Gibson guitars definitely have a special sound about them. It might not be the "Martin" sound, but it is equally great. For the folk/songwriter type stuff that I generally play, it is a great sound. The J-45 brings the booming full bass sounds and now the L-00 will bring the dynamic midrange aspect with the Yamaha FS5 filling in to all the other stuff where a nice full balanced sound is necessary.

I still love the Yamaha FS5 too. Great guitar. The only guitar I'm not really that impressed with anymore is the Martin 000-15M. Don't get me wrong, it is a very beautiful sounding guitar with its own thing. I just am not sure that I like it as much as my other guitars. It is more of a personal preference thing. I am likely going to sell it. It will make someone very happy. I can't really say anything bad about the sound of a 000-15m, of course. The FS5 is very much akin to a 000-18 in temperament, so I find I just have some overlap in guitars and the 15m doesn't get played too much. I should add, so as not to offend 000-15m owners, I bought the 000-15M used and I am very much a "new" guitar guy. I like to own a guitar from new and make it my own. I just never seem to really bond with used guitars too much. It's a mental thing with me. This is likely one of the reasons why I just never came together with it too much.

I would suggest that people try out the L-00 Standards. They are very nice guitars and you can really express yourself well on them. The way that you can go from delicate and soft to punchy and ringing is just something special on them. I don't think I can express in words the character that the guitar brings out. When you get the guitar rocking with some hard strumming or fingerpicking, the body is vibrating and the guitar just really comes into its element.

Regards,
Martin

[Catamount]

Wow. Beautiful guitar. I just got the Epiphone version of this, but obvious pales in comparison of the Gibson. Congrats.

[Cool555]

Congrats! That is one great-looking little brother to the J-45. Your taste for guitars are quite similar to mine. We have two similar guitars.

Edit: Just read that you’ve fallen out of love with your 000-15m. It happens...I’m strangely also a new guitar guy....only ever bought a Yamaha LS16 and Little Martin used. Sold the LS16 and the Little Martin now belongs to my wife.

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by Martin_F

Thank you all for the kind words. So far I am very impressed with the L-OO. I think it is a very nuanced and dynamic guitar to play.

These Standard L-00's really have something to them. I am extremely happy.



Yes! I have been busy buying too many guitars! I got the J45 because it sounded so beautiful in comparison to the other guitars I had tried. Then I loved the Gibson J45 sound so much, I went to try this L-00 and just had to have it! Gibson guitars definitely have a special sound about them. It might not be the "Martin" sound, but it is equally great. For the folk/songwriter type stuff that I generally play, it is a great sound. The J-45 brings the booming full bass sounds and now the L-00 will bring the dynamic midrange aspect with the Yamaha FS5 filling in to all the other stuff where a nice full balanced sound is necessary.

I still love the Yamaha FS5 too. Great guitar. The only guitar I'm not really that impressed with anymore is the Martin 000-15M. Don't get me wrong, it is a very beautiful sounding guitar with its own thing. I just am not sure that I like it as much as my other guitars. It is more of a personal preference thing. I am likely going to sell it. It will make someone very happy. I can't really say anything bad about the sound of a 000-15m, of course. The FS5 is very much akin to a 000-18 in temperament, so I find I just have some overlap in guitars and the 15m doesn't get played too much. I should add, so as not to offend 000-15m owners, I bought the 000-15M used and I am very much a "new" guitar guy. I like to own a guitar from new and make it my own. I just never seem to really bond with used guitars too much. It's a mental thing with me. This is likely one of the reasons why I just never came together with it too much.

I would suggest that people try out the L-00 Standards. They are very nice guitars and you can really express yourself well on them. The way that you can go from delicate and soft to punchy and ringing is just something special on them. I don't think I can express in words the character that the guitar brings out. When you get the guitar rocking with some hard strumming or fingerpicking, the body is vibrating and the guitar just really comes into its element.

Regards,
Martin

Do you prefer the J45 to the FS5?

[Kerbie]

Congratulations! That's lovely.