1918 Vintage Gibson L-3 (Fleur Headstock)

Produced from 1903 to 1933, the L-3 model shares the many historical traits of the family of L series guitars. Not far from it's DNA is the guitar used by Robert Johnson's instrument of choice, the simpler L-0 versions. These were great ragtime and delta blues guitar, with it's distinctive punchy projection and powerful voice.

Finished in an aged velvety dark red sunburst, one can't help but be drawn to it's uniquely voluptuous carved body lines, made famous by Orville Gibson himself. The appreciation and evolution of the changing form of a carved top to a modern flattop can be witness in these earlier specimens. We just love the artistic signature of how Gibson evolved from being a Mandolin to a purely guitar company, as seen in the progressive changes with it's offerings. The rounded sound hole changed to a sexier oval shape only in 1928, but some would argue that with it goes the signature sound of the original that it is known for. Either way, the L-3 was indeed a smaller brother of sorts to the greater numbers series L family. Parlor in size but still packing a deep solid sound with the belief then that such baseball-like-neck would help with sustaining notes. As with most trapeze style guitars, they withstand the tide of time almost unaffected by flattop atypical belly issues. Other intricate details such as decorated rosette around the sound hole and moth-of-pearl "The Gibson" logo shouts decadent vintage vibe aloud.