GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1948 Gibson L-7

All images and text copyrighted and property of Greg Gagliano.

FACTOIDS AND TRIVIA

Gibson archtops were made in Kalamazoo, Michigan until the mid-1980's when production was moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Gibson made their finest archtops from 1925 up to World War II. The L-5 and Super 400 were the mainstay of jazz and swing band guitarists for many years. The L-7 was fourth in the Gibson line behind the L-12, L-5 and Super 400. The difference between the models in within the L series was the quality of wood and level of appointments. The L-7 was really a plain version of the L-12/L-5 and was quite popular due to its lower cost. Gibson ceased production of all models above the L-7 during the war and had limited production of guitars all together during this period. In fact, many wartime Gibsons had wooden trussrods and tailpieces due to metal shortages. 1947 marked the beginning of post-war production of Gibson archtops. The neck profile, neck construction, pickguard, and headstock logo were the only significant changes to the model from 1947-54. The neck profile changed again in the mid-50s and by the end of that decade, the non-cutaway L-7 was discontinued. This particular guitar is an interesting transition model since it retains the pre-World War II neck construction (3-piece maple), but has the rounder post-war neck profile.

GIBSON L-7 (1948)