1930's Gibson L-00

[RAHAZ]

I recently took possession of my Grandfather's mid-1930”s Gibson L-00 acoustic guitar. Originally it had a black back and sides with a natural top and has 14 frets clear of the body. My Uncle who owned it for awhile sanded down the guitar to bare wood and at the same time managed to flatten the frets. He said there was a crack in the top that he fixed by sanding it all down and slowing moistening it. Unfortunately I never saw it before he started taking it apart. I have all the parts that he took off of her: Bridge, Bridge pins, truss rod cover. One of the friends of the family said they got to play it before hand and that it had a sweet tone to it.

I have some questions for you guys:

Does anyone know what type of frets were originally used? What is the best method for removing flattened frets in a guitar this old? Is there any good reference material for these guitars? I learned what I could from this site: Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson flattop vintage guitar collecting

[David Collins]

Very cool guitar - those 30's L-0 and L-00 are some of my favorites.

In spite of all the work that's already been done to it, that guitar still may be worth seeking professional help with. It will be expensive, but the guitar is worth it in my opinion (if you can afford it).

The original wire was about .050"-.055" wide crown in the late 20's and moved to around a .075"-.078" crown by the early 30's. With the unbound back and no trace of a pickguard shadow, it's most likely a '32. If it's just been sanded enough to remove any trace of a pickguard but originally had one, it may be a '33. Could be a later 30's L-0, as those were painted black as well, but typically had a bound back and always a pickguard.

Of course the original fret size is not that important here. This guitar is not a museum level preservation piece, so there is no rule that functional details like this must be kept in strict accordance with original design. In other words, it's perfectly appropriate to choose fret size based on preference for the end player. I would probably choose an .080"x.040" wire by default.

As to how to pull the frets, don't take this the wrong way, but if you have to ask how then it's probably a good sign that this should not be your first practice run. Even the most well intentioned do-it-yourselfer can still run the risk of doing more harm than they are aware of in their first attempts, and I wouldn't advise doing anything to the frets or finish on this one unless you have a bit more experience with this type of work.

It could be quite expensive to get this properly restored to a finished playing condition, but even if you can't afford to do it now I think it would be worth holding on to until you can. It would be worth it in the long run. A quick do-it-yourself repair may bring it back to functional in the short term, but can also easily create impediments to a full proper restoration in the future.

Very cool guitar, and take good care of it!

[RAHAZ]

Originally Posted by David Collins

With the unbound back and no trace of a pickguard shadow, it's most likely a '32. If it's just been sanded enough to remove any trace of a pickguard but originally had one, it may be a '33.

First off, Thank you for the information!

From what I have been told it never had a pickguard. I am having family members seek out any photos of the guitar to verify.

Originally Posted by David Collins

As to how to pull the frets, don't take this the wrong way, but if you have to ask how then it's probably a good sign that this should not be your first practice run.... It could be quite expensive to get this properly restored to a finished playing condition, but even if you can't afford to do it now I think it would be worth holding on to until you can.

No offense taken. A big part of me wants to have a hand in the restoration but the other part of me wants it done by a pro. I had the Restoration Division of Gibson give me a rough estimate a couple years ago. Do you have any recommendations for restoration shops?

Originally Posted by David Collins

Very cool guitar, and take good care of it!

Thanks. I will do my best.

[bfcg]

What state did the guitar reside in before you got it?
I see that you are in Arizona where it is very dry. Be careful if you just got it shipped to you or brought in from a humid enviroment. Keep it in the case. Good luck, it is gonna be a sweet guitar.

[RAHAZ]

Originally Posted by bfcg

What state did the guitar reside in before you got it?

It was in Western Arizona before I got it so it is acclimated to the dry air here. I think this guitar has been in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, California, Idaho and now Arizona. There is currently no case for it. I am hunting one down from the reissue that Gibson put out a few years ago.

[The Thruth]

nice geetar

[BCRGreg]

Fixable.

[jp litch]

If that's the same one Red had in his basement a few years (10?) back, it's been in idaho. Pretty sure it's the same one.

[dazzypig]

Love those little old ones.

Send it to the Greg!

EDIT: I see he's already checked in too...

[RAHAZ]

Originally Posted by jp litch

If that's the same one Red had in his basement a few years (10?) back, it's been in idaho. Pretty sure it's the same one.

No, I don't know anyone named Red. This one has been in my family since it was new.

Originally Posted by dazzypig

Send it to the Greg!

I plan on it when finances allow.

[jp litch]

James Bowers is his real name. maybe red still has it. Last I knew he was still kickin