In The Shop: Inside a 1927 Gibson L-3 Archtop | Elderly Instruments

This week on In the Shop, Joe and Johnny take a look inside a made-in-Kalamazoo beauty. We’ll be opening up a 1927 Gibson L-3 archtop guitar that is being re-braced.
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[@scottreeves1226]

HI! I just caught this four years late. At first glance that bracing looks like a new Taylor nearly 100 years earlier. makes you think.

[@GIBKEL]

Is there a reason that lower bout didn’t span to the recurve? Not criticizing-just wondering?-is it so that part of area flexes better? A bit more dumb luck as to what makes a good and a great archtop. I have a cylinder Vega arch top that broke all the rules of the time. Absolutely brilliant guitar.
Crazy old guitars. To think what chances they would take in the late 20’s and early 30’s with the L flattops and the beginning of the jumbos! Some of my favorite guitars.

[@jimstelting6390]

Hi guys, thanks for the video. My L50 has the same problem and I’m thinking of fixing it my self.Do you use hot water to wet the top before reshaping and what type of wood do you use for the braces and also the top deck has a couple of cracks to be repaired, should I use the same wood for that as well.Thanks for any help you can give me. Cheers