shopping_cart menu

Login Get Started

Menu

Guitar Values Books Pricing FAQs Contact Us

Login

/

Get Started

GIBSON
chevron_right ACOUSTIC: L SERIES

ACOUSTIC: L SERIES

There is a great deal of confusion about the difference between the small bodied L-0 series and L-00 series guitars. The L-0 was introduced in 1926 in the "Robert Johnson" shape. By 1928, it was produced with a mahogany top, back and sides. The L-0 was redesigned circa 1930 as a Martin 00 shaped guitar. It had a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and 12 frets were clear of the body. By 1932 the L-0 had 14 frets to the body, and by 1933, it had been discontinued in favor of the more popular L-00. The L-0 was reintroduced in 1937 as a black guitar with a tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard and remained in the line until 1942.
The L-00 was introduced in 1932 with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Black finish and a white pickguard. By 1933, the L-00 was available in a Sunburst finish with a striped celluloid pickguard. The L-00 Series was discontinued in 1942.
In terms of L Series desirability, an early Robert Johnson style shaped instrument is less than the post-1930 design. A mahogany top is less valuable than spruce. Rosewood and maple sides with a mahogany back will add to the rarity and price, while a maple back and side will be even more desirabile. Brazilian rosewood back and sides are the most desirable in this series. 12 frets to the body will be less desirable than 14, while the infrequently encountered 13 fret Nick Lucas will be somewhere in between.

Models (60)

STYLE L

- arched spruce top, round soundhole, bound body, wood inlay rosette, maple back/sides/neck, 13/19-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, ebony bridge/trapeze tailpiece, blackface peghead, three-per-side tuners, available in Orange Top finish, mfg. approx. 1902.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-0

- spruce (1926-1928, 1937-1942) or mahogany (1928-1933) top, maple (1926-1928) or mahogany (1928-1933, 1937-1942) back and sides, round soundhole with two-stripe rosette, bound body, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret (1926-1932) or 14/19-fret (1932-1933, 1937-1942) ebonized fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, black headstock overlay with screened "The Gibson" (1926-1932) or "Gibson" (1932-1933, 1937-1942) logo, three-per-side tuners with plastic buttons, ebony pyramid (1926-1928), rosewood (1928-1933, 1937-1942) bridge, black bridge pins, extra white bridge pin below bridge pins (1928-1929), white (1931-1933, some 1937-1942) or celluloid (1937-1942) pickguard, available in Amber Brown (1926-1928), Amber (1928-1931), or Black (1931-1933, 1937-1942) finish, 13.5 in. (1926-1931) or 14.75 in. (1931-1933, 1937-1942) lower bout width, 25 in. (1926-1931) or 24.75 in. scale (1931-1933, 1937-1942) scale, mfg. 1926-1933, 1937-1942.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00

- small body guitar, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with single multi ring rosette, top body binding, back body binding (1937-1946), mahogany neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, black headstock overlay with screened logo and "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner (1943-46), three-per-side tuners with plastic buttons, rosewood straight bridge, black bridge pins, tortoise or white pickguard, available in Ebony (1932-38), Natural (1941-46), or Sunburst top with mahogany red back and sides (1933-1946) finish, 14.75 in. body width, 19.25 in. body length, mfg. 1930-1946.

Models with maple back/sides command a premium (up to 50% for flamed maple). Early versions of this model have 12/19-fret fingerboards.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 3/4

- similar to Model L-00, except has 3/4 size body, approx. 35 mfg. 1938-39 only.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 (1936 REISSUE)

- spruce top, round soundhole, two-stripe bound body/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white pins, three-per-side nickel tuners with plastic buttons. Patterned after Gibson´s older 00 size body, available in Antique Walnut, Vintage Sunburst, or Ebony (1999-2002) finish, mfg. 1992-96, reissued 1999-2002.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 ORIGINAL

- small style body, Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, single-ply body binding, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlay, rectangle bridge with closed slot and bone saddle, tusq bridge pins, three-per-side nickel Golden Age tuners, L-00 style pickguard, L.R. Baggs VTC electronics, available in Ebony or Vintage Sunburst finish, 1.72 in. nut, 24.75 in. scale length, case included, mfg. 2020-present.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 STANDARD (MODEL LSL0S)

- small style body, sitka spruce top, round soundhole, white bound body/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white pins, three-per-side mini nickel tuners, tortoise L-00 style pickguard, L.R. Baggs Element VTC electronics, available in Vintage Sunburst finish, 1.725 in. nut, case included, mfg. 2016-2018.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 STANDARD (CURRENT MFG.)

- small style body, Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, single-ply binding, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rectangle closed slot bridge with tusq saddle and pins, three-per-side mini nickel Grover rotomatic tuners, tortoise L-00 style pickguard, L.R. Baggs Element VTC electronics, available in Vintage Sunburst finish, 24.75 in. nut width, case included, mfg. 2019-present.

Also available in left-handed configuration.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 STUDIO WALNUT

- small style body, Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding, Walnut back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret walnut fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, rectangle bridge with tusq saddle, tusq bridge pins, blackface peghead with Gibson block logo, three-per-side nickel Grover mini rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons, tortoise L-00 style pickguard, Fishman Sonitone electronics, available in Antique Natural or Walnut Burst finish, 1.72 in. nut, 24.75 in. scale, hard shell case included, mfg. 2019-present.

Also available in left-handed configuration.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 Studio Rosewood

- small style body, Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding, rosewood back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret walnut fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, rectangle closed slot bridge with tusq saddle, tusq bridge pins, blackface peghead with Gibson block logo, three-per-side nickel Grover mini rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons, tortoise L-00 style pickguard, Fishman Sonitone electronics, available in Antique Natural or Rosewood Burst finish, 1.72 in. nut, 24.75 in. scale, hard shell case included, mfg. 2020-present.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 SUSTAINABLE

-small body style, Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, single-ply body binding, walnut back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret Richlite fingerboard with wood diamonds and arrows inlays, rectangle Richlite bridge with tusq saddle, tusq bridge pins, dark face peghead with block Gibson logo, three-per-side nickel mini Grover rotomatic tuners, L-00 style walnut pickguard, LR Baggs VTC electronics, available in Antique Natural hand rubbed wax finish, 1.73 in. nut, 24.75 in. scale, hard-shell case included, mfg. mid-2019-2020.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

L-00 VINTAGE (MODEL HLL0V)

- modern replica of a 1932 L-00, small style body, Adirondack red spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black pins, three-per-side vintage open back nickel tuners, firestripe L-00 style pickguard, available in Vintage Sunburst finish, 1.725 in. nut, case included, mfg. 2016-2019.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

1937 L-00 (MODEL HL37)

- detailed edition of a 1937 Gibson L-00, small body style, solid Adirondack spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with rosette, single-ply top and back binding, mahogany 1937 profile V-shaped neck, 14/19-fret Madagascar rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, black headstock with script Gibson logo , three-per-side reproduction nickel tuners with white buttons, Madagascar rosewood bridge with MOP dots and white pins, 1937 style celluloid teardrop pickguard, available in Vintage Sunburst finish, 24.75 in. scale, Red Line case included, limited production of 25 guitars per month, mfg. 2007-2015.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

BLUES KING L-00 (MODEL LSBK)

- parlor style, spruce top, round soundhole, tortoise pickguard, three-stripe bound body/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, straight rosewood bridge with white pins, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, three-per-side nickel tuners, available in Ebony (mfg. 2003) Antique Ebony (disc.), Natural top/Antique Walnut back/sides (disc.), Antique Natural (mfg. 2003), or Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. 1994-96, reintroduced 2003-2014.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

Blues King Special

- similar to Blues King L-00, except has Indian rosewood back/sides, bound ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlay, ebony belly bridge with white pins, bound blackface peghead with pearl vase/logo inlay, transducer pickup/preamp system, available in Antique Natural or Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. 1994-96.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

NICK LUCAS (GIBSON SPECIAL)

- slightly arched spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, bound body, bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, rosewood bridge, "The Gibson" headstock logo, special round Nick Lucas label, this model underwent redesign several times in its short production span, originally introduced as a mahogany/spruce "Robert Johnson" shaped guitar with at least a 4.5 in. depth and 12 frets to the body, models can be found with 12, 13, and 14 fret-to-the-body fingerboards in mahogany, rosewood, and maple, available in Sunburst finish, original body width was 13.5 in., later mfg. was 14.75 in. wide, 19.25 in. long, 4.5 in. deep, mfg. circa 1928-1941, limited mfg. (probably less than 250 instruments).

In 1929, this model was redesigned in the L-00 body shape, retaining its deep body and 12-fret configuration. During 1930, most production featured rosewood back and sides, 13 frets to the body. During 1932, an adjustable bridge and tailpiece were listed as optional. In 1934, 14 frets to the body, mostly maple back and sides (mahogany on some), became standard. While this model was discontinued in 1938, the last production was shipped as late as 1941.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

NICK LUCAS REISSUE CLASSIC (L-00 VARIANT)

- solid spruce top, flame maple back/sides, rosewood fingerboard/bridge, patterned after the original Nick Lucas model, includes 1930s Nick Lucas label, available in Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. 1999-2003.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

Nick Lucas Elite (L-00 Variant)

- similar to Nick Lucas Reissue, except has Ebony fingerboard, maple neck, abalone Lucas style fretboard inlays, top trim, and rosette, vintage gold hardware, available in Antique Natural or Vintage Sunburst, mfg. 1999-2002.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

Nick Lucas 1929 Reissue

- mahogany, maple, or rosewood, 12 or 14 frets, limited mfg. 2005.

This model was priced on request.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

Nick Lucas 1929 Historic Signature

- Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. by Custom Shop beginning 2005.

This model was priced on request.

Dummy Table

Unlock full access to Blue Book

You are currently viewing the free portion of the Blue Book of Guitar Values. To unlock full access, choose a subscription for more benefits including access to all guitar values, pricing history, create a collection and more!

1