#16
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Tom |
#17
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There is a world of difference between the 12-fret and 14-fret version of the L-00, at least as it pertains to the vintage '30's instruments.
12-fretters have a very "fat" warm tone. Super light, incredibly responsive, not overly punchy. Definitely the preferred fingerstyle guitar of the two. It will respond to the lightest touch. Notes bloom. 14-fretters are sharper, punchier, a wee bit heavier, and a bit louder. A better all-rounder, equally adept at aggressive flatpicking, stumming and fingerstyle. You can really thrash a 14-fret L-00. A great stage guitar that also records well. It all depends on your playing style and what you are trying to get out of the guitar. I'd find a way to try both at the same time.
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Neal A few nice ones, a few beaters, and a few I should probably sell... |
#18
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This was my experience with an L-00 from the 1930s. Really nice finger-style guitar.
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Collings OM-2H with cutaway Cordoba GK Pro Negra flamenco National Resonator Collegian Taylor 562ce 12-string |
#19
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I've been playing mine a lot lately, it's just an all around great guitar. It's good for fingerpicking but it's hardly a one trick pony. Just a good, all around guitar.
It's warm and dark, and has a sweet sound all its own. It's not just a little J-45 or anything, although Gibson advertises it as such. It's got its own voice and would be a great addition to any collection. Super easy to play, for whatever reason. A total winner. |
#20
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Maple
I guess the maple sounds more crisp? It isn’t overly bright but comparing it to a different guitar, my Martin CEO Blackwood, it is more fundamental. To me it makes a very nice strumming guitar. I probably prefer the CEO for fingerstyle as I have a pretty light touch. I can imagine someone with a heavier touch plucking the Gibson better than I can.
And since I have now learned to insert pictures...!Doc - Oct 4 2019 - 10-05 AM - p1.jpg Doc - Oct 4 2019 - 10-06 AM - p1.jpg I received this in a trade and have replaced the tuners, bridge pins, and saddle. The top is Adirondack. Not meaning to hijack this thread but I really like this style of guitar and would recommend it. I did get to play a 1938? example that was in amazing condition. I didn’t play them head to head but I agree with other comments, those old ones can be fabulous. Last edited by Psfam; 10-04-2019 at 08:17 AM. |
#21
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#22
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The early 1930s Advanced L body 12 fretters have certainly become near legendary. When it comes to these guitars though it is hard to make blanket statements regarding sound as you had different hands producing parts for different batches with a part being considered finished when it looked "close enough." Gibson did not even own a router yet. But it could not be the scary light builds alone as for the first couple of years of production the 12 and 14 fret guitars shared this. So I keep coming back to the impact on voice resulting from the fact that unlike Martin which altered the body shape to accommodate 14 fret necks, Gibson opted to leave the body as is and change the bridge location and bracing pattern. So my advice to the OP would be to try and get their hands on both. Plus it would be interesting to hear a comparison between two modern versions.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#23
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For a while after acquiring it, I tuned it down a half step out of concern for its long-term health. Then it occurred to me that nearly 90 years, it was about as bellied as it was going to get. And it sounds better at full pitch. I would love to get my hands on some modern interpretations of the early Gibson flattops to see how they sound.
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Neal A few nice ones, a few beaters, and a few I should probably sell... |
#24
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Gibson L-00
The first two pix below are early 30s ones I just bought and are en route. Very light 12 fret l00s. And I have a 36 l00 in excellent condition with 14 frets as seen in the last pic. Surprisingly loud for their size. They have less overtones, less sustain, and are more woody and punchy, and less lush, than the 00 Martins, which make them great for fingerstyle blues or folk. So I’m a fan you could say...
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#25
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#26
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#27
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All these "30's'" models you guys are talking about;are they really from the 1930's or are they reproductions? Is this L-00 studio model a 30's job? Also how does the neck at the nut compare to 1 3/4? seems pretty close to that size anyway.
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#28
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When it comes to "studio" as used by Gibson, don't forget no-one sees the artist when he is recording : he then needs a good sound, but not all the M.O.P. or Abalone he would possibly want for stage work...Then studio designs guitars with no fancy ornement, no bling, no fancy bindings, no parallelogram fretboard's markers and so on..."Studio" then designs (within Gibson's models names) less expensive models : the L-00 studio I was referring to is a today's L-00 (with walnut b & s). Don't know if they ever existed previously (don't think so)... Last edited by Bernieman; 10-06-2019 at 07:31 AM. |
#29
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Gibson L-00
When Gibson went to flat tops they did a lot of experimentation. The early or later L-00 body could have 12, 13, or 14 frets, the body switch was 1929. They changed the body shape, moved the soundhole, changed its size, changed scale lengths, changed length of fretboard, changed bridges, added a pick guard, some were ladder braced, H-braced, A-braced, or X-braced. Even the head shape was fluid.
Not to mention the Nick Lucas Specials which had all of the above variations plus an extra deep body. I bought a broken 1933 L-00 14 fret with an elevated fretboard at a local auction for $41. Just to show how amazing these guitars are, as a rank amateur I patched the sides and top and put on a new back and this guitar is still among the best sounding instruments I have ever heard. But there are still table saw marks on the faces of the braces and glue squeeze out all around. I have some photos but have never been able to figure out how to post on this platform. Ed |
#30
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Gibson L-00
Mine are originals. Get an original. They’re amazing even if “player condition”. See above post. Very true.
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