Description
Exc (+) condition / SN: 13538009
1-3/4″ Nut / 2-3/16
Walnut Bk & Sides + Fittings
Rare Gibson Wooden Inlays!
This 2018 Gibson L-00 Custom was owned by the legendary musician John Sebastian. It has very nice playability and good projecting tone. It appears to be either a “one off” guitar made especially for Mr Sebastian or maybe from a limited run of L-00’s with unique appointments.
Gibson seems to have “bowed to convention” on naming this guitar an “L-00”. This one is really an “L-0” (because of binding on back and the top). I think it is because these two guitar models have both been constantly referred to as “L Double-0” model.
The Walnut Peghead overlay has a rare wooden “Gibson” inlay towards the top. Truss rod cover has a MOP crescent moon inlay.
Wooden “AJ” arrowhead inlays in the Rosewood fingerboard. In all my years of dealing in new Gibson guitars, old Gibsons, repairing Gibsons, hanging around at the factory, etc., I can’t remember ever seeing another Gibson with wooden inlays. Advanced Jumbo inlays are a famous rare 1930’s and early 1940’s inlay usually only found in the notorious powerhouse guitar, the Gibson Advanced Jumbo, or “AJ” as it is referred to. These wooden diamonds and arrows inlaid in the fingerboard are in conjunction with wooden Gibson logo inlaid at top of peghead. Both are exceedingly rare with Gibson guitars!
Appears to have a Tusq (or Corian), nut. Bridege saddle is similar. Ebony Fingerboard and Ebony Bridge. There is a Walnut pickguard that came with the guitar that is residing in the case. Currently, there is a black plastic pickguard installed. Single cream binding around the top and the back edge of body. Cream end-wedge at the bottom of guitar.
The top is high grade Sitka Spruce. Soundhole rosette is a simple cream/black/cream concentric band. Factory saddle and nut and pins.
These L-0 and L-00 guitars were some of the most sought-after Gibson guitars from the 1930’s pre-war period. They almost all have a wide nut and some have wide pin spacing at bridge. These, along with the small size, make these very ergonomic instruments for fingerpicking and folk or blues playing. Original versions of these guitars sell for $5000 to $12,000 at the time of this writing.
