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1931-32 Gibson L-3

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Northcountry

Posted 2008-04-07 8:54 PM (#305078)
Subject: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Have a friend who called me to see if I wanted to buy it from him. I can't handle any more guitars right now, He was thinking under $4000. I have not looked at it yet and I do not have a photo either. Will have soon. Just checking to see if there is any interest before it goes to the Bay. He is a guitar player and this guitar is his Dad's who bought it used in the 50's. He has a 1928 Tenor Gibson he likes to play and wants to sell this one.
He says it is in great shape and very playable. Straight Neck and beautiful sound. Sounds to me like a great way to start a pre war acoustic guitar collection.
If your not interested could someone give me an educated normal value estimate. ? I'd like to help this guy out, he is dirt poor, and a great blue grass musician and works hard every single day.
Randy

Tim in Tidewater

Posted 2008-04-07 9:02 PM (#305079 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234

Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia

Gibson L-3

--
Gibson L-3 Acoustic Guitar ( 1902-1933 )
1914 Gibson L-3
In 1902 to 1920 there was 4 gibson archtop acoustic guitars from the L series that were dispursed on the market , they were the gibson L1 , L-2 , L-3 , and L-4 .

These guitars can be easily mistaken for one another because they have the same old antique style shaped bodies and they were mostly 13.5 " wide accept for the L-4 ( 16 inches wide ) .

The L-2 was discontinued between 1908 to 1910 while the L-1 and the L-3 continued and were joined by the L-4 in 1912 .

The Gibson L-3 was an archtop guitar , it had a round bound soundhole ( some with oval soundholes in the late 20s) , 3 rings around the hole , raised tortoise pickguard , trapeze tailpiece , "the gibson" logo ,

mahogany back and sides ( some with maple back and sides in the late 20s) , 3 per side tuners with plastic buttons , were made in sunburst , orange top and red mahogany finishes .

During the late 20s they had an oval shaped soundhole and in the early 30s they raised the fingerboard . Were discontinued in 1933 , came in 3 body sizes 12.5 ,13.5, & 16

Gibson had also another L-3 guitar model which was available only on special orders ( see pic ) , the guitar was quite impressive at least for that time and is rare and sought after by collectors . They had a raised ivoroid pickguard and a gorgeous ivory finish .

These guitars are not the best sounding gibson guitars compared to other L models that followed , however during those years they were still ahead of their times .

Vintage Guitars Price Value :
1902 - 1933 > $1700 to $2700
1915 - 1933 > $2100 to $3500 ( ivory special order ) Gibson L-3

Northcountry

Posted 2008-04-08 7:29 PM (#305080 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Thanks Tim, I did some digging myself last night this is very accurate from what I can find. I told him to expect around $2000 if he gets more this will be a bonus. He seems quite happy, Will start it out with a reserve but who knows it may not sell for $1,000 these days??

Thanks again, for all the help.
Randy

Trader Jim

Posted 2008-04-08 7:34 PM (#305081 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few

Check out the big brain on Tim! :eek:

Tim in Tidewater

Posted 2008-04-08 7:44 PM (#305082 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234

Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia

Knew where to look. One of the guitars my dad had left me was a 1956 Gibson L4, last year they were made. It was destroyed when Katrina flooded our storage unit in Mississippi. The insurance company wanted to pay $1,000 and this was one of the websites I quoted with the low end value of $1,800. We finally settled for $1,500.

Beal

Posted 2008-04-08 9:00 PM (#305083 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch

A good sourse is also Timm Kummer at Kummers Vintage in Ft Liquordale. He's the guy I always ask what the price should be.

Tim, I couldn't see the pictures, could you email me them? Thanks.

Tim in Tidewater

Posted 2008-04-08 9:06 PM (#305084 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234

Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia

Don't know what's up with the pic's but the GIBSON L3 link below will take you to the pictures Beal

GIBSON L3

Northcountry

Posted 2008-04-08 9:32 PM (#305085 - in reply to #305078)
Subject: Re: 1931-32 Gibson L-3

Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Beal, I found my other 1587 through Timm. He also had a Baritone Adamas 1 I was bugging him to sell me but I did not like the color but hard to say unless I saw it in person. Kind of a grey/blue metalic. Your right though Timm has one of those rare shops full of nothing but classic and rare oldies. I love the look of those old White Nationals!
He's like Al, he knows his stuff, and is realistic about selling guitars. But I'll bet he don't have himself no custom tee shirt with his face on it though!

Randy

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