My wife inherited a 1936 Gibson L7 from her dad (a rhythm guitar player in big bands from the 30’s into the 90’s)–arthritis forced retirement to its case for the last 25+ years
Here it is, in 1936, the day he picked it up ($125 + solid case $15, at lot of money in the heart of the Great Depression), almost 90 years ago…or about $1.50 per year
I bought new strings for the guitar, removed the old strings — the bridge fell to the floor (d’OH!). Ignorance is not necessarily bliss…
The frets looked like the edge of scallop shells, a cheap stand gouged out the neck, there are abundant scratches and dings, but the sound was so cool I felt it should make beautiful sounds again.
I took it to a reputable shop(?), and two months later it is back, the missing bushing replaced (not matching, but there), fully re-fretted, new “D’Addario Chrome” strings, bridge in the correct place (I won’t be making that mistake again).
This sound is so totally different from my new Yamaha FGX830C that it’s hard to believe the two instruments are both guitars. It’s got a decided “character” to its voice while the Yamaha could be from most anywhere. The rounded bridge I find easier to strum. I love the chrome wound strings–almost no squeaking, and they feel much easier on my fingers–decidedly pricier as well.
QUESTIONS
Where can I find the correct string heights for this guitar. [I’m still just playing on the first three frets but I’m looking forward to learning to use others as well]. There’s a lot more action on the lower frets. I’ve searched the web, including this site and not found reference to where the specs could be found. The low E string heights above frets are 1 @ 0.5mm, 12 @ 2.25mm, 19 @3.75. (on my new Yamaha FGSX830C they are 1.0, 2.25, 2.75mm.)
It takes so little pressure to fret, I love it, but need to retrain my fingers with the reduced pressure required. Are these values normal for “setup to std spec”?
I can see a gap at the high E string end of the bridge (the one that became intimate with the floor), where it is separated from the body of the guitar by about 1mm or so for 3/4-1". This doesn’t seem right for a “recrown bridge” that I paid for. Is that normal, does it affect the sound?
I wrapped gauze around a " String Swing Guitar Wall Mount" hanger. Do you think that will be safe for the nitrocellulose finish (specs say yes)? If not, can you suggest a good hanger so the L7 is just a stretch away from being played?
The guy at the shop said not to worry about humidity. That after 90 years of no humidity control, and the fact that it was most likely old-growth spruce, the top was really stable. Does that advice sound sound? (my new Yamaha, he said, did warrant the use of a case humidifier).
Thanks so for your knowledge, wisdom, and generosity of time.
That’s a beautiful guitar, and most likely worth an arm and a leg! Don’t forget to get it valued and get it insured!
Just looked on Reverb and seen one similar and in similar condition for $4,000!
Wow, that guitar is even older than my parents A stupid question from me: is this an acoustic or an electric guitar?
As for the action, I think what feels most comfortable to you should determine how you set it up. I guess that the neck profile (if they are different) also affects playability if the same action is used on the two guitars.
As for the bridge, is it like this one? A gap between that and the top of the body would be quite alarming for me, to be honest, from a structural aspect if nothing else.
Also, nitro finishes were discussed in a few threads:
First of all what a gorgeous beautiful old guitar that needs the best repairs money can buy, But I am confused with the photo of the guitar on the hanger showing the nut I can see clearly the binding coming away from the side of the neck beside top E has this came back from the shop like this and the nut itself has some issues im just not sure about, I would like to see a photo of the bridge just like Grytpipe suggests Cheers Hec
All I can say is that is freaking awesome guitar and great story (and picture) to go along with it.
The gauze is probably fine, but I would be very concerned about the head slipping out of the hanger assuming it is much smoother than the rubber grip on the hanger?
In my mind the Humidity advice is probably sound, you are not going to fix years of no control at this point.
That said, if you are looking to preserve the guitar as best as possible, I would probably keep it in the case, for one it is less likely to get damaged by swinging or falling off the hanger and also the case itself will help protect from the natural elements in the room, dust, humidity, temperature etc. etc. It can be a easy to pull guitar off the wall hanger, but I think safer to keep it in a case. For me, I keep like the “beater” on the stand ready to play at a moments notice but the nicer stuff stays in a home (case).
Also send your father-in-law a nice bottle of scotch or a subscription to the Thank you Club for a year for keep that legend alive.
That is amazing. I am going to assume since you are doing the question asking your nice wife is not taking the guitar for her own musical endeavors. That means you have scored a cool historic guitar. Very impressive. I think the inlay is one of the most attractive I have seen in a vintage guitar to be honest. There is just something about the intricate mother of pearl.
Would you post a photo of the case? I love the old cases. Especially how the beat up outside often contrasts with the beautiful colors used to lay these guitars onto inside.
Thank you so much for shareing this now precious family heirloom. Especially having photographs of your father in law playing it is so amazing. I would put a copy of the photo and explination of it, him and his bands of the era plus his musical history. Add who your wife and you are and how you came into posestion of this great instrument. Put it into an acid free envelope and put it an out of the way place in the case. This provenance will be very valuble to you and your family a in 25 years time and will make things with insurance a lot better now or down the line.
This last stuff is more about heirlooms rather than guitars.
When you see him again. Give that man a handshake and a hug, but gently. Poor elder and poor hands. I bet it was hard giving that wonderful instrument up. He must think a great deal of his son in law.
I was enamored by your father in-laws gift so I did some digging.
I found a bit of cool info searching, some not many, were engraved with “L-7” on base.
And what you were looking for. I also found a reference of an string action set up for this guitar.
Here’s a Youtube video of what he sounded like in 1943–it’s 4 tracks, totalling 13 minutes.
Any of you Swing Era aficionados out there who can help name the songs?
He was in the Coast Guard on a sub chaser, and entertained evenings with the the “Six Fathoms of Rhythm”, as well as the CG Big Band (he even played for Eleanor Roosevelt)
Really, really great story - especially with all the pics & the music clips! It’s super-cool that the guitar is still playable after all this time without any TLC! Good for you to get it the love old instruments like that deserve!
I can’t give you any advice except maybe that if you aren’t feeling ‘right’ about the luthier you took the guitar to, go to another one for a second opinion… a really good luthier should leave you feeling completely satisfied with the work & advice given.
Congrats on this extraordinary inheritance to come down to you & your wife!!!
A stupid question from me: is this an acoustic or an electric guitar?
