1957 Gibson LG-3 Very Good, Hard, $1,995.00
Gibson introduced the LG-3 in 1942 as a kind of junior partner to the famous J-45, with the same solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck, according to George Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars. It had internal X-bracing, full 3-ply body binding (one ply on the back), a three-stripe rosette, a straight rosewood bridge with pearl dot inlay and white bridge pins, a 14/20-fret (after 1955) rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, a blackface headstock with a screened gold logo, and three-on-a-side nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners with white plastic buttons. The LG-3 was a substantial upgrade both from its predecessor, the L-00, and the less expensive models in the LG series.
The original teardrop pickguard was superseded in 1955 by the large tortoise pickguard with the point at the upper bout seen here. Its smaller dimensions (14 1/8” lower bout, with a 24 ¾” scale) allowed Gibson to use straight-across ladder bracing on the top as well as the back of the LG-0, LG-1, and LG-2, but for the LG-3 they used the much more responsive X-bracing of the J-45 itself. Similarly, for the less expensive models Gibson used a single piece mahogany back with no center seam; this LG-3 shows a book-matched two-piece back. It was usually in a natural finish, showing off--rather than covering up--the grain of the fine spruce top. While it was itself succeeded by the B-25 in 1963, the LG-3 is perhaps Gibson’s all-time best small-body acoustic.
Although the label on this LG-3 is long gone, the Factory Order Number U 1826 34 is clearly visible inside on the neck block, indicating that this guitar was made in the year 1957—60 years ago. In those 60 years a number of changes have been made to the original specs: while this guitar has the 14/20-fret fingerboard and larger pickguard introduced in 1955, it preceded the adjustable saddle of 1961 and the dreaded plastic bridge of a year or two later. It also still has the 3-ply top binding dropped in 1962. After checking Gruhn, The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, and the various vintage Gibson books, as far as I can tell, the only non-original parts of this 1957 Gibson guitar are the saddle, possibly one or more of the bridge pins, the tuners, and the strings.
Needless to say, the X-braced top’s aged and seasoned woods are thoroughly opened up and it sounds great, much stronger and clearer than my Guild D-25, for example (my luthier begged me to let him open it up even further with a bone saddle, nut, and pins, but I left that to you). It is in remarkably good condition, both structurally and cosmetically, with only two visible cracks in the top, repaired long ago, a bit of pick wear at the sound hole, and some finish wear at the edge of the top bass lower bout.
Cosmetically, there are also several dings and bruises visible in the pictures, but the neck joint is solid, the top is flat, the action is medium low (at 3/32” at the 12th fret low E), and it has just enough finish crazing and small dings to show everyone what it is: an absolutely classic guitar from the Golden Age of Gibson, perfect for play in any style at any level. This is an instrument to be shown and played with pride.
The solid black hard shell case in which I bought it is probably not original, but the smaller LG body fits it so well that it ought to be. Everything functions great, and frankly I would rather have a hard shell case, vintage or otherwise, to ensure the safety of this wonderful guitar in the future. I promise I will ship it with great care.
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; cashiers and personal 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 vintage instrument, but my interpretation of what I see is only the best guess of a non-expert. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that its description was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures, do your own research, and ask any questions you might have before bidding.
Thank you for your interest in this fine 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.