Gibson 1941 L7 Guitar

1941 L7

As any collector, I love finding beautiful instruments and researching their history. Very rarely do I sell anything from my collection, but sometimes in order to keep collecting new items, older ones must be let go. 

In this case, I am offering my beautiful Gibson 1941 L-7 for sale. 

This page will display the entire piece. I purchesed this years ago in stunning condition. I believe I am the 3rd owner. Everything, including the finish is original. The tuners were changed years ago for newer Grovers and at one time it did have another tailpiece added (there is a very small screw hole on the base rim in order to accomodate that tailpiece). The tailpiece now is back to the original raised three-diamond motif. 

The binding is tight and the frets are original to this piece. Because it is over 70 years old, there are a few barely noticable bumps and dings. Please look at the photos carefully.

The original case with blue crushed velvet is included. The case holds the guitar, but its integrity is deteriorating....please view the outside case photos.

If you are interested in any information, please contact me via my 'contact page' at the end of this site. 

Below is a little history and the photos.

 

 

In 1935, Gibson introduced the 'Advanced' L7 along with several other 'Advanced' models. The body size was increased to 17", had beautiful fingerboard inlays and a rather plain tailpiece which was changed in 1942.

 

The model on this page is a 1942 design. 

 

1940 Catalog Supplement to 1939 Catalog AA, introduces the model. The biggest change is the crown inlay in the peghead and the parallelogram inlays in the fretboard. 1940 is the first year to use these inlays, which are used in various Gibson models up to present-day. It should be noted that besides the L7, the new electric ES300 was also given the ornamental crown and the parallelogram inlays. Both 1940 Es300 and L7 models were also provided with the nickel plated diamond tailpieces. After the war, the tailpieces change to a series of 3 parallelograms (pictured on my 1947 L12 Premier).

 

The following photos show the 1939 ES250 tailpiece on this 1942 L7. I chose to trade it out, as the L7 is very similar in specs to the ES250, sans the electronics. 

Pictured back to original condition with the raised three diamond tailpiece. The tuners were changed to modern Grovers as they keep this guitar very well tuned.
1940 Supplement to 1939 Catalog AA.
1942 Gibson Catalog BB
1942 Gibson Catalog BB
Original end-pin and 3-diamond raised motif tailpiece. Note the hinge of the tailpiece works, but will open into two pieces (top/bttm hinge) if removed from guitar.
You can note the small screw hole just below the base of the tailpiece.
Al Dexter with his late '30's L-7 Gibson. Note the difference in the late '30's fingerboard and headstock inlays from the '40's crown and parallelogram inlays.
1940 L7 and ES300 were the 1st Gibson instruments to receive the pearl crown inlay on their headstocks and parallelogram inlay on their fretboards.
Serial #96859 signifies 1941 because #'s 96600-97300 = 1941.
FON 2584G. G = 1941, when actual model was produced at the factory.
Original pickguard was 'gassing out' so was fixed to prevent further deterioration and preserve the looks of this iconic prewar 'working man's' guitar. Note the fix is in the upper left. Guard works excellent now.
Pictured with original nickel plated prewar bracket.
The case is original with blue crushed velvet. It holds the guitar for storage.
Beautiful flame on the maple back.
Note the Kluson open-back tuners are replaced with modern Grover Imperial tuners.