1941 Gibson Special #7

Rare Model From the War Years
Seventeen Inch L-5 Body
Fabulous Original Condition
A Super Good Player

This is a rare model from the war years, when Gibson was not supposed to be building guitars. They used unused parts, what's sometimes called "floor sweep". The Special 7s were the highest grade, using 17" L-5 bodies with carved top and back out of their top grade maple and spruce, often with left over banjo inlays in the peghead and fretboard. One aspect that differed from the L-5 was the non-elevated fretboard extension, which might alter the tone. I suspect that it would have less volume and more sustain and warmth, though it limits the ability to add a floating pickup. Thus this box works nicely for fingerstyle and has a sweet touch to the sound.
 The condition is fabulous, with all parts original, including its red line case. The maple is nicely flamed, the action and neck shape are excellent and there's very little wear. It's really a top line professional grade guitar. The FON number, 2555G-42, which shows up in the Spahn book, puts it in the middle batch of the three known batches of this model.

Specs:
STRING SPACING Almost 1 3/4" x 2 1/8"
SCALE 24 3/4"
SIZE 17" x 3 1/2"
TOP Spruce
BACK & SIDES Maple
PURFLING None
BINDING White, Body and Fretboard
FINGERBOARD Rosewood
BRIDGE Rosewood
FINISH SunBurst
TUNERS Golden Age
WEIGHT 4 lb, 11.6 oz