With a comfortable 16" lower bout, the Gibson L-50 became a popular arch top acoustic suitable for country & folk picking as well as jazz. Built with a carved spruce top and laminate maple back & sides - these highly regarded guitars would sonically contend with instruments priced much higher, like the early 16" L-5 models - and thankfully with the lower price tag and lack of ornamentation, would be a popular model for players of all genres. This player grade example is one such guitar, that while having been played for a many careers already, is still in great shape ready to hit the stage or studio.
With no label, and a serial stamp of 824 17, this is a bit difficult to date, likely being a 50's incarnation. Quite a powerful volume, with a nice bite - whether thats to chomp some Carter family chords, or hear some ripping swing leads on rhythm changes - this guitar is certainly versatile and certainly hasn't lost any of its mojo (both in look and sound). While this guitar has likely had a history of repairs, nothing problematic is present, and the guitar plays fabulously with a nice straight neck & low action.
Solid, wide grained, carved spruce top and a laminate pressed maple back & sides, these guitars are robust. This one here has been stripped and refinished many moons ago. The finish was likely stripped & sanded, with some deeper sandpaper marks still visible and slightly augmented from a past stain that was applied to the top, giving it a bit of a pumpkin-top like appearance - that is actually fairly nice looking straight on - in that blues-mojo kind of way. The top has a cleated crack near the bass side F hole, and some deep scratches but nothing otherwise structurally of concern. The binding on its top is in good shape, having been finished over on its sides. The back and sides, also stripped and sanded, were likely re-stained a dark brown, with the sides going a bit more heavy handed, covering up the binding. One might consider bringing this back to its original intentions with a simple lacquer finish, a decision best left to the next owner. Please see the photos and let us know if there's any specifics you'd like.
It is further designed with a Gibson standard 24.75" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width. The binding appears original, and is overall in good shape, less one missing piece at the cowboy chord zone - which frankly hasn't seemed to bother any of us here at the shop. The profile has some small nicks, which given its refinish and current satin'd stain, is really not surprising, and really not too troubling or annoying. This guitar can swing with the best of 'em, and while the frets have been level & crowned in its past, it plays very well in each register, again with low action that measures 6/64" at the twelfth fret of the 6th string, and 5/64" on the 1st. There is still room at the thumb screws on the bridge, about 1/16" on either side without any modification. The rosewood and inlay is vibe-y and fairly clean, with expected wear given the condition of the rest of it, notably in the cowboy chord zone, but present up the neck - non problematically overall. No headstock breaks, this guitar has had its peg head veneer resprayed black at some point in its life. The original tuners have been swapped for inexpensive replacements (possibly a long time ago), its pickguard absent, but retaining the original nickel hanger tailpiece (with its ebony end pin broken off at its base).
This guitar is being sold in good, but "As Is" condition, and is priced accordingly, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions if needed, and refer to the photos regarding its finish.
Includes a period correct brown case with green interior, possibly the original, that is in functional shape, but has extensive tape around its edge to prevent the tolex from coming undone.