1926 Gibson L-0 Excellent, Hard, $5,995.00

What a wonderful 1920s Gibson flattop guitar, with such a wonderful story. From 1926 (per the Spann book of pre-war Gibson FONs), of the type many people today call “the Robert Johnson model”, it’s of Gibson's earlier body shape, with mahogany back and sides and a spruce top. In extremely solid condition, with only one very minor back crack way off to one side and a small indiscretion on the non-money lower bout. It plays beautifully too, thanks to a perfectly neat and wonderful neck reset, feels like home all day long, and shows the loving playing wear of only one owner and his own family. Now here’s the story: This guitar came to us from an old friend in North Carolina, who got it from the grandson of the original owner, one Isaac Munden of Smithfield, Johnson County NC. The guitar passed down to his son, James E. Munden, Sr. who wrote a fabulous book about growing up on the family farm during the Great Depression; the plantings, the farming, the locals, the Model T Ford, local political and religious activity, local music, his service in WW II; it’s all in there and beautifully written. The book, a copy of which comes with the guitar, has a photo on the cover of Isaac playing it, along with a fiddler friend accompanying him. The instrument was passed down to the grandson, James E. Munden, Jr., who passed it on to my friend, I am told with tears in his eyes, but knowing that it would get a deserving and respectful new home. There’s nothing on Earth in my opinion like having a musical instrument with a story attached to it, especially a wonderful one like this, and especially with such a fine, truly great, now ninety-year-old Gibson Gibson guitar that sounds and plays up to its heritage. $5995 w/hsc