1961 Gibson LG-2
Gibson introduced the LG-2 in August of 1942 as a kind of junior partner to the famous J-45, with the same solid spruce x-braced top and mahogany back, sides, and neck. It had full body binding, a simple one-stripe rosette, a straight rosewood bridge with two pearl dots and black bridge pins, a 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, a blackface headstock with a screened or decal logo and three-on-a-plate nickel tuners, and a tortoise pickguard. Its smaller dimensions (14 1/8” lower bout, with a 24 ¾” scale) and X-braced top provided both strength and resonance, allowing it to play with great power despite its size. It was usually in a sunburst finish, and was produced until 1962, when it was replaced by the B-25.
The label—if any--on this LG-2 is long gone, but the serial number (18895) is clearly legible on the back of the headstock. Since it does have both the adjustable bridge introduced in 1962 and the two dots on the bridge supposedly dropped in 1962, either it’s from 1961, or the bridge is not original, or it’s just another inconsistency in Gibson’s model specifications. In the 59 years since then a few other changes have been made to those original specs, so if you’re looking for an all-original museum piece, this might not be it.
Most obviously, this is the original brilliant cherry sunburst finish, the pickguard is definitely tortoise, the nut is definitely the 1 11/16" preferred by many players, and the tuners are definitely the Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-strip nickel originals. However, after almost six decades, one can guess that there have been some repairs and modifications. I see several repaired cracks along the grain--2 in the top and 1 in the back--but they're so well repaired that I doubt that they are visible in the pics; there's also a small glued crack along the grain at the bottom of the treble side of the headstock--not across the neck but beneath the high e string [that one is faintly visible]. The headstock also shows some chipping, and there are the usual dings, bruises, and lotsa finish crazing all over.
I also see three actual modifications: the frets look too new to be original, but if they were replaced it was done very cleanly; a hole was cut in the lower treble side for a jack which is no longer there; and two bolts have been added to the bridge at some time in the last 60 years. However, on the whole it is in excellent playing condition for its age: flat top, straight neck, and low action—right at 3/32” at the 12th fret low E.
I hope that you’re still with me—perhaps thinking that it’s still an X-braced 1961 Gibson, after all, and you’re right. The aged and seasoned woods are thoroughly opened up and it sounds great, much stronger than my Guild D-25, for example. And of course the ultimate virtue of any guitar is its sound, and in that respect, this guitar can hardly be matched by any other small body guitar, new or old, by any other maker, no matter how expensive!
The case appears to be the original Gibson chip board case with the Gibson name plate on the pocket top [which is loose], but it is certainly more worthy of this guitar than most of those flimsy old Gibson chip boards, regardless of their authenticity. The latches and hinges are functional, the lining is relatively clean, and naturally it fits the LG-2 shape quite well. Given that our interest is in preserving the sound of this great little guitar, this case offers the solid and authentic protection it deserves.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it.
Thank you for your interest in this great vintage Gibson guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.