Gibson HG-00 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar , c. 1937

Gibson HG-00 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1937, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 771-14 (FON), black lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard.

Originally intended for lap-style Hawaiian play, the fairly rare HG-00 makes a dandy Spanish guitar and an interesting variation on the normal 1930's "L" flat top specs. This is a 12-fret guitar with slightly heavier bracing than the 14-fret standard L-00...and we do mean slightly,compared to most other guitars it is still a featherweight instrument. The neck is a quite wide but comfortable V profile, chunkier than the contemporary Spanish neck. There was no truss rod installed, as it was deemed unnecessary for the Hawaiian style neck. The fingerboards were fretted in the standard style, so the conversion to Spanish play does not require a refret.

This appears to be a fairly early HG-00. The model was officialy introduced in 1937 and this guitar bears features consistent with the first yearor so, including the black-finish body with contrasting white pickguard, early Kluson strip tuners with plastic buttons and an unbound back. This is a really fine guitar, somewhat rarer than a 'normal' L-00 and with a slightly more aggressive tone. Great for a number of acoustic styles and a connoisseur's delight in a 1930's Gibson flat top.
 
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 15/16 in. (49 mm.). Nicely converted to Spanish style with a compensated repro bridge. One repaired back crack on the upper bout, otherwise appears all original with no other major work done. Small dings and chips to the finish but no major areas of wear; a very nice playing and sounding guitar. Generally Excellent Condition.

Item # 4777
 
This item has been sold.


 
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