Description
Excellent condition • SN: 84763
FON: 8905 • Deep Body L-1 frame
First Year of Nick Lucas Model
This 1927 Gibson Nick Lucas is a great vintage collectible instrument with great sound. It exhibits some early and unusual attributes that are not seen on any Gibson Guitars after this period. 1927 is the first year of announced production. These earliest “Nick Lucas” models were built on L-1 molds, but with much deeper body. This deeper body is about 5″ at the lower bout.
These lovely and very rare guitars were produced at the end of the first decade of Gibson converting from only making archtop guitars to making true flat top guitars (many of the first L-1 flat tops still had arched backs). These early guitars were built with “A-frame” bracing, which is also referred to as “Modified H” bracing.
These earliest “Nick Lucas” models, built like deep body L-1 guitars, only were made for 3-4 years before transitioning to the L-0 (or L-00) shaped body. I believe Gibson began to use this newer body shape by 1931.
Besides the early bracing, the biggest unique feature is surely the one-of-a-kind “3-tiered Brazilian Rosewood bridge”, also referred to as the “pin bridge” because of the mysterious extra 7th pin set into the bridge behind the six normal pins, and at an angle that suggests this pin would hold the bridge in place if the glue failed.
This is a wonderful guitar to hold and play. It seems to be very original, although I can’t vouch for the pickguard. Tuners, bridge, inlays, finish all present as original. It has a 12-fret neck joint.
It comes in an early ’30’s Lifton hard case.
Currently, Nick Lucas guitars from this era are for sale in the market from $30K to $65K.
Serious inquiries can call to discuss price… 406/327-9925
