Acoustic Guitar Construction

My student Eric brought over his Gibson L-00 today and is leaving it with me overnight. It is a FINE instrument that anyone would be glad to own. I'm measuring the dickens out of it because after his next kit build he wants to scratch build an L-00 under my patient, wise, and all-knowing guidance.
According to the serial number, this one was built in Bozeman on January 2, 2002, the number 3 build in the series. Mahogany b/s and spruce of some sort for the top. 1/4" bracing top and back. I've put a mirror inside and the workmanship is very good, in fact as good as any I've seen, and it is responsive and musical. Impressive. I'm not a huge Gibson fan, and I think he got the 'pick of the litter' but still, it was a revelation to me.

Gibson made some bad mistakes in the acoustic market, but none the less fine instruments are being produced today and were in the past. -- There are passionate fans of the L-00, J185 J200 and I am sure there is a segment of America that holds their J45's as one of their most prized possessions. I owned a new 1965 (sorry I sold it) and even with the goofy adjustable bridge, in the hands of a good player it was awesome! The fact that your student has a good one in my opinion, is not a fluke.

I'm glad to hear it. If I was buying an L-00 I might try to find one built right around when Eric's was. Not a guarantee of an equally impressive guitar, but Bozeman sure had the methods and means to do good stuff at that time,

Of course Gibson at one time was in my backyard -- Kalamazoo Michigan. "Heritage Guitars" owns the factory now.

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