Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson version

[Dan Erlewine]

I am hoping that someone here might have a picture showing a closeup of the bridge on a 1926?? L-1. It is the same model that Robert Johnson is holding in the photo where he is sitting down as a dandy in a pinstriped suit.

I have only seen a couple in my life and the last one was butchered. This one hasn't got the original bridge but the homemade one was only bolted on (not glue) with a backer board inside. I have the opportunity to restore this properly. The top had run-out problems in the spruce, took a kink, separated on the grain lines abit and that's why the bridge is gone I am guessing.

I have removed the bridge pad and fixed the top. Nothing will show. The bridge I am talking about is NOT the earlier ebony version with pyramids. It is the rosewood version – sharp curves to the belly, has an extra bridge pin in the belly, and non-pyramid "wings".

I seem to recall a curved groove machinged into the belly for decoration. Does anyone here own one in good shape that I can see a clear pic of the bridge?

Does anyone here know this guitar or know what I am talking about?

thanks, dan

[hank]

Dan: Hope this is of some help. hank

1926:

http://www.fret-dancer.com/page9.html

1928:

http://www.rfcharle.com/HTML/PhotosInstruments/L1.28.html

[Dan Erlewine]

Still, neither of those are correct. I mean, they are correct, but different models. More L-1's would be seen with those bridges.

I "almost" remember exactly what it looks like, but I don't know when or on what model I saw the bridge.

Since I posted here I remembered that I have reprints from the old Grossman Music Catalogue of all the Gibsons models from the 20s and 30s. Rather than photos, they use illustrations rendered from photos. Then in an oft-copied xerox things get fuzzier. I can "almost" see what the bridge is now.

I see the same bridge on a Nick Lucas, on Tenor guitars, and some ukes. George Gruhn's shop is looking for me too. But

The bridge will be rear-bellied, have a 3-sided ramp on top to support the saddle, then at the bottom of the backside ramp the belly flattens out (not round like a Martin belly bridge).

There is a 7th bridge pin mounted in the flat of the belly – ostensibly in case you lose one?

I can make the bridge now I believe. But if anyone has a clear pic I would like to see it.

does anyone have any idea what this model L-1 is worth in relatively nice shape?

dan

[sinner]

Hi Dan--this is probably no help, but some say these old Kalamazoo's are maybe indeed closer to Robert's guitars than the Gibson (at least in sound). But anyway, here's a shot of this 30s Kalamazoo's bridge:

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/4d2e7bd33c475784381a64e43e50922f/3188_p50359.gif

[Brian Albin]

This is probably too late for your project, but is this the right guitar? http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson2.html#l1