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coach
 Post subject: Building a Gibson L-1
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 3:59 pm 
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Hi guys,
I'm about to start building a Gibson L-0, or L-1, depending on which source I read. It's the little peanut shaped guitar. The bracing pattern says 13 3/4" across the lower bout, but it has the ladder braced top. Anyway, I've been looking at all the images I can find of these guitars, and can't find an actual picture of a top that is braced like the template I just purchased from KMG. The pics I see do not have a tone bar in the lower bout, but instead a horizontal cross brace across the lower bout.

Does anyone know if this tone bar on the template is correct?

Thanks

Sean
Bucket Guitars

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guitarjtb
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 4:35 pm 
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I did not see a ladder braced L-1 on the KMG website.

The following pictures shows both the Gibson patterns that I am familiar with. You can see the old tracks of the H-bracing that Gibson used on the L-1 flat top just prior to changing to the X-bracing for that model in the late 1920's. The 2 vertical braces run the length of the top and are notched into each cross brace that they intersect with. They are also notched over the bridge plate, which runs the entire width of the top. The cross brace at the rear of the top is perpendicular to the top and is notched into the vertical legs of the "H". This one did not have a tone bar running at an angle.

The new bracing that I installed is very similar to the late 20's Gibson X pattern, but I added an extra brace and a thin spruce support piece under the fret board extension, and a couple of additional small side braces. I also did some more trimming to the braces after this picture was made.

I would recommend the X-bracing for that body shape.


Last edited by guitarjtb on Wed May 27, 2015 10:07 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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guitarjtb
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 4:52 pm 
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Is this the one you bought?

http://www.cncguitarproducts.com/gibson-style-l0.html
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kencierp
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 5:04 pm 
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Since the stencil is based off G.A.L. "L0" reconstruction project plan/drawing I'd say its correct. Is your assumption that the "L0" and the "L1" are the same model?

http://www.luth.org/images/plans/pl06.jpg


Here's some Gibson vintage guitar data

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson2.html#l1

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These users thanked the author kencierp for the post: coach (Wed May 27, 2015 9:06 pm)
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rlrhett
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 6:57 pm 
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I believe "L" is the model, "0" "1" etc indicates level of bling. At least that was what I was told years ago at a reputable music store.


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Ruby50
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 2:58 pm 
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I just rebuilt a '33 L-00 (same as an L-1 except for the level of bling), and all of the top braces were just a hair over 3/16" at the widest, and had a very nice, sharp triangular shape to them. Look at James's picture of the one he modeled after to see this. After I finished this broken guitar, I played it and knew immediately what the fuss was all about. Mine is the later body style, but has the same angle to the X and the same bracing pattern. I have also built 2 to the peanut shape, one a maple L-1 with X bracing, and one a mahogany Nick Lucas, also with X bracing, and I think these guitars are great for size and sound. I would love to hear one with true ladder bracing - I have read that the "H" was a failed experiment, but have never played or heard one. Please post pictures.

Ed


These users thanked the author Ruby50 for the post: Pmaj7 (Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:39 pm)
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kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 4:39 pm 
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http://www.jameseinolf.com/gibson.html

If you check out the vintage links it appears that the shape of the L0's made in the 1920's is different from those made in the 1930's ---- know that could be confusing alright!

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson6.html#l00

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kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 6:03 pm 
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To add to the confusion if you will, I see plenty of so called Robert Johnson replicas that look strangely like the more modern L0 where as you can see in this article it seems he actually played the 1920's version.

http://www.jameseinolf.com/robertJohnson.html

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coach
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:04 pm 
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James Burkett wrote:
I did not see a ladder braced L-1 on the KMG website.

The following pictures shows both the Gibson patterns that I am familiar with. You can see the old tracks of the H-bracing that Gibson used on the L-1 flat top just prior to changing to the X-bracing for that model in the late 1920's. The 2 vertical braces run the length of the top and are notched into each cross brace that they intersect with. They are also notched over the bridge plate, which runs the entire width of the top. The cross brace at the rear of the top is perpendicular to the top and is notched into the vertical legs of the "H". This one did not have a tone bar running at an angle.

The new bracing that I installed is very similar to the late 20's Gibson X pattern, but I added an extra brace and a thin spruce support piece under the fret board extension, and a couple of additional small side braces. I also did some more trimming to the braces after this picture was made.

I would recommend the X-bracing for that body shape.

In my opinion, the top pic is way over braced. I think the one on the bottom is more true. If you look farther down this thread you will see a link for the page with the ladder braced stencil. Thanks.

Attachment:
1927L-1project.jpg


Here is the picture I used as a pattern for the bracing:

Attachment:
L-1bracing.jpeg

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coach
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:09 pm 
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kencierp wrote:
Since the stencil is based off G.A.L. "L0" reconstruction project plan/drawing I'd say its correct. Is your assumption that the "L0" and the "L1" are the same model?

http://www.luth.org/images/plans/pl06.jpg


Here's some Gibson vintage guitar data

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson2.html#l1


It just appears its labeled(peanut shaped) differently today then from the original. I've been looking at the links you posted and still have yet to find an original pic of a ladder braced top with an angled tone bar. Do you know of any? Thank you.

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kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:25 pm 
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Perhaps you could contact Ted Davis through the GAL he not only has pictures he has an actual guitar --- just a thought? I don't think he faked his drawing?

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mike-p
PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 1:36 am 
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Pretty sure it's been dubbed h or lazy h bracing. There's an early nick lucas picture here on this excellent thread.

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... ary?page=6
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kencierp
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 11:03 am 
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And yes Ted Davis' plan does include original photos -- here's another beautiful Lazy H that Folkway had up for sale.

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/museum/gibs ... -l-0-0812/

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junior
PostPosted: Wed Mar 06, 2019 6:38 pm 
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Hey guys, I’m hoping to resurrect this L-1 build thread!

How did your build go, Coach?




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Pmaj7
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:43 pm 
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Ruby50 wrote:
I just rebuilt a '33 L-00 (same as an L-1 except for the level of bling), and all of the top braces were just a hair over 3/16" at the widest, and had a very nice, sharp triangular shape to them.
Wow 3/16th! Possibly the culprit for the need to rebuild?



New username, same Pat Mac

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Ruby50
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:33 pm 
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That was a couple of years ago. Here is the reason for the rebuild. Looked like someone smashed it over a bedpost and the top was cracked from below after the back was shattered. Right now it is the best sounding guitar I have ever played (limited experience, but hey, it is a great guitar).

Below that is my most recent - another in the early pre 1930 L shape. This one is all Alaskan Yellow Cedar, back, sides, top, and neck. Sounds very crisp and balanced. She is 13 frets. I also built a a J-85 copy and this is the same body shape but 15 inch at the lower bout. It is actually the same shape as many early Gibsons, the Les Paul, and the J-200


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These users thanked the author Ruby50 for the post (total 2): junior (Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:19 am) • Pmaj7 (Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:27 am)
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junior
PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:20 am 
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What type of wood is this blond guitar?
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Fred Tellier
PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:49 am 
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I had a friend who had a late 20's L0 which was a mahogany top and it was the lightest braced guitar I have ever seen. Very different body shape than the later L's the shape is the same as the one in the photo of Robert Johnson wearing the suit sitting with a L1 on his lap. The best expert on vintage gibsons it Mark Stutman at Folkway music in Guelph Ontario who ended up with the L0 my buddy had.

Fred

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