Description: Gibson L-00, Gibson L-0, Gibson L-1, Gibson L-2 flat top guitars
Available: 1929 to 1945.
Collectibility Rating: B.

General Comments: The Gibson L00, L0, L1 and L2 are all very similar models, with the only differences being small cosmetics. In ascending order of fanciness, it went L-00, L-0, L-1, L-2.

To summarize, the L-00 was the plainest, having only top body binding (in its original incarnation). The L-0 had top and back body binding. The L-1 had top and back body binding, and sometimes fingerboard binding (pre-1931), sometimes individual tuners after mid-1930s (instead of 3-on-a-plate Waverly), sometimes a gold "Gibson" stencil peghead logo (instead of white), and prior to 1934 a slightly arched back and top. The L-1 also used better woods and never had a 3 or 4 piece top (unlike the L-0 and L-00 that sometimes had more than 2 pieces of spruce). Also L-1 had a bookmatched top with tighter grain, where the L-0 and L-00 did not have a bookmatched top. The L-1 back is usually 2 piece quartersawn, where the L-0 and L-00 usually had one piece slab sawn backs.

The Gibson L-2 was the fanciest of the model line during this time, and the first to have the "L" body style. Made from 1929 to 1935, the 1931 Gibson L2 was probably the coolest variant. In 1931 the L-2 had gold sparkle binding around the soundhole and body top and back (by 1932 this feature disappeared.) The Gibson L2 was the only L model with a single bound neck with white binding (dot fingerboard inlays.) Also a Argentine Gray finish was used only in 1931 (kind of a greenish grey sunburst.) The L-2 had a pearl "Gibson" or "the Gibson" logo. There's a fancy pearl peghead inlay too below the pearl "Gibson" logo. The tuners were sometimes 3-on-a-strip style with white buttons, but again fancier with light engraving. Rectangle bridge like the other L models. Also rosewood back and sides are often seen on this model in 1932.

Back to the L-00. In 1937 things kind of reversed themselves, and the L-00 got back binding and shortly thereafter the L-0 lost back binding. So in 1937, the only difference between L-00 and L-0 was the finish, with one having a sunburst and the other black (but, this switched, too). See the table below to determine which flavor you have. (The biggest difference between the models is back body binding and the color.)

The L-OO is probably the most common of the three models, but they made the L-O, L-1, and L-00 in great numbers, since they were inexpensive guitars. The L-2 production was lower than the other L models. I believe these L models are the nicest of the pre-WW2 small bodied Gibson flat tops. Yes they are a small guitar by today's standards. But for some reason that does not bother me (compared to Martin 00 models, which just seem too small!) The Gibson L-00, L-0, L-1 and L-2 guitars are very comfortable to play with a nice smooth sound. I really like them!

If you need to figure out the exact year of your Gibson L00/L0/L1/L2 guitar, use the FON Factory Order number. This is located inside the body's sound hole. See the Gibson Serial Number Info web page for help determining the exact year.

If you have a vintage Gibson L-0, L-1, L-2 or L-00 guitar for sale, please contact me at cfh@provide.net (I would really like to find a Gibson L-2!)

Elevated fingerboard on a black L-00.

General Information on L model Flattops

1929-1932 Gibson L model guitar introduction specs:

Actually introduced between 1929 and 1931 (but first catalog appearance in 1932), the L-00 had a $25 list price. FON usually in the 200 to 800 range (elevated fingerboard models don't seem to go past FON 8xx, with the first 14 fret elevated fingerboard batch being #298). Gibson also made a mahogany top natural finish L-0 during this period with back binding. These basically had all the same specs as the L-00 (but with added back binding) and came in both 12 and 14 fret varients during 1930-1933.

1932 Gibson L-00 specs:

In 1932, Gibson made one batch of L-00 with 13 frets clear of the body. These were all batch number 269, and were all black with a white pickguard.

1934 Gibson L-00 specs:

Sunburst style changd. Prior to this, the sunburst was a "stained colors". Starting in 1934, Gibson switched to a "sprayed colors" sunburst, which has a different (more opaque) look. This small sprayed color sunburst top finish usually had a yellow area only about 6" in diameter. The sunburst was sprayed directly over the pickguard, so the dark part of the "sprayed color" sunburst extends over the outside edge of the pickguard and is easily seen (where the earlier "stained color" sunburst did not go over the pickguard). The mahogany back and sides were a deep transparent wine red (almost dark purple sometimes).

1936 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

Brass "3 on a plate" tuners often seen with the word "top" at the D & G gears.

1937 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

List price $30, back bound. A few 3/4 scale L-00 models sold. The L-1 was also reintroduced and had a black finish and bound back. Nickel plated "3 on a plate" tuners often seen with the word "top" at the D & G gears.

1940 Gibson L-0/L-00 guitar specs:

During the 1930s some L models had hex style tuner bushings. In 1940 these are gone for sure with all L models having beveled round style tuner bushings.

1941 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

Natural finish available. List price now $36.75 for sunburst, $42 for natural.

1942 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

War time features start to sneak into the L-00 model. Sometimes seen with no truss rod and two pearl dots on the bridge (underneath there are screws holding the bridge down, a feature that came about in the early 1940s).

1943 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

A few L-00 and L-0 models made with "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner peghead logo. This model is rarely seen after 1942, since the LG series of guitars replaced the L-00. Easy to identify though as the "banner L-00" or "banner L-0" models have the old L-0/L-00 body style but with a gold banner Gibson peghead logo. These usually have the larger LG pickguard (non-firestrip).

1945 Gibson L-00 guitar discontinued.

Note Gibson also sold a model called the HG-0 and HG-00 model. These are like a Hawaiian L-00 models but with heavier bracing, a straight bridge saddle (no slant), a more squarish neck, usually sunburst finish (sometimes black), and 12 frets clear of the body. Made from 1937 to 1942.

L-0 Flattop
Available: 1926 to 1942
Collectibility Rating: 13.5" wide models: D, 14.75" wide: C+.
The 1931 to 1942 models I feel are nice small bodied flat tops. Very comparible to the L-00.

1926 L-0 introduction specs:

$35 list price, 13.5" wide, 12 frets clear of body, spruce top with amber brown stain, round lower body shape, slightly arched top and back, brown stained birch back and sides, b/w/b/w/b soundhole rings (varies), ebony belly bridge with pyramids at ends and black pins, white bound top and back, dot fingerboard inlays at 5th, 7th and 9th frets, ebonized unbound fingerboard, no pickguard, 25" (approximately) scale length, 3-on-a-plate tuners usually with white buttons (or sometimes black buttons), "The Gibson" angled peghead logo in white paint.

1928 L-0 specs:

13.5" wide, natural/amber finish mahogany top, mahogany back, and sides, b/w/b/w/b soundhole rings (varies). Bottom belly bridge with raised center area (though late models have a rectangle bridge with a spare white bridge pin below other black pins), unbound rosewood fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays at 5th, 7th, 9th frets, 3-on-strip tuners.

1929 L-0 specs:

No belly to bridge, no extra bridge pin.

1930 L-0 specs:

14.75" wide lower bout (same body shape as the L-2), body more square at bottom, natural finish mahogany top, b/w/b/w/b soundhole ring, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, rectangular rosewood with angled saddle, unbound fingerboard with dots at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets, 3-on-strip tuners.

1932 L-0 specs:

14.75" wide, top and back now flat, 14 frets clear of the body, natural finish mahogany top, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, tortoise pickguard, retangle bridge, unbound fingerboard, 24.75" scale, dots at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets, 3-on-strip tuners, some with "Gibson" painted logo (no "the").

1933 L-0 discontinued.

1937 L-0 re-introduction specs:

14.75" wide, 14 frets clear, spruce top with black finish, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, fire-striped tortoise grain pickguard retangle bridge with black bridge pins and end pin, dots at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets, 3-on-strip tuners. List price reduced to $25.

1942 L-0 discontinued.

1926 L-1 introduction specs:

$50 list price, 13.5" wide, 12 frets clear of body, round lower body shape and narrow waist, slightly arched spruce top with amber stain or natural, b/w/b/w/b/soundhole rings (with black outer ring), carved birch or maple back and sides with brown dark stain, bound top and back (though some have an unbound back), unbound ebony square end fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th frets. Fixed ebony bridge with pyramids at ends and black pins, 25" scale length, "The Gibson" straight peghead painted logo. Bracing pattern could be X,H or A.

1928 L-1 specs:

13.5" wide, spruce top with stained shaded finish, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, b/w/b/w/b/soundhole rings (no black outer ring), bottom bellow rosewood bridge with raised center, 3-on-strip tuners, bound rosewood fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets.

1929 L-1 specs:

13.5" wide, spruce top with stained shaded finish, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, bottom bellow rosewood bridge with raised center and extra bridge pin (though later models had a rectangle bridge), 3-on-strip tuners, bound rosewood fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets.

1930 L-1 specs:

14.75" wide, body more squared at bottom, 12 frets clear of body, spruce top with stained shaded finish, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, 3-on-strip tuners, longer modern type rectangle bridge, unbound fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets.

1932 L-1 specs:

14.75" wide, 14 frets clear of the body, 24.75" scale length, small sprayed sunburst finish, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, fire striped tortoise pickguard, retangle bridge, unbound fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets. Individual tuners, "Gibson" peghead logo (no "the"), reduced $37.50 list retail price.

1937 L-1 discontinued.

1932 Gibson L-00 guitar introduction specs:

Actually introduced between 1929 and 1931 (but first catalog appearance in 1932), $25 list price. 14.75" wide, spruce top with black finish, 12 frets clear of body, mahogany back and sides, white bound top only (unbound back), white pickguard (no pickguard on later models), rectangle rosewood bridge with black bridge pins, unbound ebonized fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets. "V" shaped neck, 3-on-a-plate open back strip tuners, tapered peghead, can have either "the Gibson" or "Gibson" peghead logo in white paint.

1933 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

14.75" body, 14 frets clear of body, spruce top with small sized yellow sprayed sunburst, Scalloped X bracing, mahogany back and sides, bound top only (though occasionally a bound back too), fire-striped tortoise pickguard (or sometimes a mocking style tortoise pickguard), rectangle bridge, unbound fingerboard with dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th frets. Also now has a "Gibson" peghead logo (no "the"), $27.50 list retail price.

1935 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

spruce top sunburst changes a bit with medium sized yellow sprayed sunburst.

1936 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

bound top only (though some do have a bound back now.)

1937 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

spruce top sunbrust changes yet again with a larger sized yellow sprayed sunburst. List price $30, all have back bound now. A few 3/4 scale L-00 models sold.

1941 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

Natural finish available. List price now $36.75 for sunburst, $42 for natural.

1943 Gibson L-00 guitar specs:

A few L-00 models made with "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner peghead logo. This model is rarely seen after 1942, since the LG series of guitars replaced the L-00.

1945 Gibson L-00 guitar discontinued.