***** Guitar Project Jigs, Tools & Techniques Online Resources Archives OLF Video Page Library of plans MP3 Library Inlay Class
Offical Luthiers Forum





And our community proudly sponsored by:

RC Tonewoods | Stewart MacDonald | LuthiersForum
TasmanianTonewoods | OLF | OLF MERCH
Luthier Suppliers | Pacific Coast Woods | ELEVATE
OLF X | Tasmanian Acoustic Tonewood | Luthiers Forum Store!
Luthiers Forum | OLF Facebook | AVAIL SPACE
OLF | Alaska Specialty Woods | A.Hix Tonewood
Duke of Pearl | Birkonium CNC | Space




Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Fri Nov 29, 2024 4:27 am


Board index » Luthiers Forum Rooms » Guitar Building Forum

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 18 posts ] 
  Print view Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
coach
 Post subject: Building a Gibson L-1
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 3:59 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Hi guys,
I'm about to start building a Gibson L-0, or L-1, depending on which source I read. It's the little peanut shaped guitar. The bracing pattern says 13 3/4" across the lower bout, but it has the ladder braced top. Anyway, I've been looking at all the images I can find of these guitars, and can't find an actual picture of a top that is braced like the template I just purchased from KMG. The pics I see do not have a tone bar in the lower bout, but instead a horizontal cross brace across the lower bout.

Does anyone know if this tone bar on the template is correct?

Thanks

Sean
Bucket Guitars

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/
Top
 Profile  
 
guitarjtb
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 4:35 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:12 am
Posts: 712
Location: United States
I did not see a ladder braced L-1 on the KMG website.

The following pictures shows both the Gibson patterns that I am familiar with. You can see the old tracks of the H-bracing that Gibson used on the L-1 flat top just prior to changing to the X-bracing for that model in the late 1920's. The 2 vertical braces run the length of the top and are notched into each cross brace that they intersect with. They are also notched over the bridge plate, which runs the entire width of the top. The cross brace at the rear of the top is perpendicular to the top and is notched into the vertical legs of the "H". This one did not have a tone bar running at an angle.

The new bracing that I installed is very similar to the late 20's Gibson X pattern, but I added an extra brace and a thin spruce support piece under the fret board extension, and a couple of additional small side braces. I also did some more trimming to the braces after this picture was made.

I would recommend the X-bracing for that body shape.


Last edited by guitarjtb on Wed May 27, 2015 10:07 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
guitarjtb
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 4:52 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:12 am
Posts: 712
Location: United States
Is this the one you bought?

http://www.cncguitarproducts.com/gibson-style-l0.html
Top
 Profile  
 
kencierp
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 5:04 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Since the stencil is based off G.A.L. "L0" reconstruction project plan/drawing I'd say its correct. Is your assumption that the "L0" and the "L1" are the same model?

http://www.luth.org/images/plans/pl06.jpg


Here's some Gibson vintage guitar data

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson2.html#l1

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/


These users thanked the author kencierp for the post: coach (Wed May 27, 2015 9:06 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
rlrhett
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 6:57 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:17 pm
Posts: 1170
City: Escondido
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 92029
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I believe "L" is the model, "0" "1" etc indicates level of bling. At least that was what I was told years ago at a reputable music store.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Top
 Profile  
 
Ruby50
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 2:58 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:58 pm
Posts: 1449
First name: Ed
Last Name: Minch
City: Chestertown
State: MD
Zip/Postal Code: 21620
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I just rebuilt a '33 L-00 (same as an L-1 except for the level of bling), and all of the top braces were just a hair over 3/16" at the widest, and had a very nice, sharp triangular shape to them. Look at James's picture of the one he modeled after to see this. After I finished this broken guitar, I played it and knew immediately what the fuss was all about. Mine is the later body style, but has the same angle to the X and the same bracing pattern. I have also built 2 to the peanut shape, one a maple L-1 with X bracing, and one a mahogany Nick Lucas, also with X bracing, and I think these guitars are great for size and sound. I would love to hear one with true ladder bracing - I have read that the "H" was a failed experiment, but have never played or heard one. Please post pictures.

Ed


These users thanked the author Ruby50 for the post: Pmaj7 (Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:39 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 4:39 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
http://www.jameseinolf.com/gibson.html

If you check out the vintage links it appears that the shape of the L0's made in the 1920's is different from those made in the 1930's ---- know that could be confusing alright!

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson6.html#l00

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/
Top
 Profile  
 
kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 6:03 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
To add to the confusion if you will, I see plenty of so called Robert Johnson replicas that look strangely like the more modern L0 where as you can see in this article it seems he actually played the 1920's version.

http://www.jameseinolf.com/robertJohnson.html

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/
Top
 Profile  
 
coach
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:04 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
James Burkett wrote:
I did not see a ladder braced L-1 on the KMG website.

The following pictures shows both the Gibson patterns that I am familiar with. You can see the old tracks of the H-bracing that Gibson used on the L-1 flat top just prior to changing to the X-bracing for that model in the late 1920's. The 2 vertical braces run the length of the top and are notched into each cross brace that they intersect with. They are also notched over the bridge plate, which runs the entire width of the top. The cross brace at the rear of the top is perpendicular to the top and is notched into the vertical legs of the "H". This one did not have a tone bar running at an angle.

The new bracing that I installed is very similar to the late 20's Gibson X pattern, but I added an extra brace and a thin spruce support piece under the fret board extension, and a couple of additional small side braces. I also did some more trimming to the braces after this picture was made.

I would recommend the X-bracing for that body shape.

In my opinion, the top pic is way over braced. I think the one on the bottom is more true. If you look farther down this thread you will see a link for the page with the ladder braced stencil. Thanks.

Attachment:
1927L-1project.jpg


Here is the picture I used as a pattern for the bracing:

Attachment:
L-1bracing.jpeg

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/
Top
 Profile  
 
coach
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:09 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
kencierp wrote:
Since the stencil is based off G.A.L. "L0" reconstruction project plan/drawing I'd say its correct. Is your assumption that the "L0" and the "L1" are the same model?

http://www.luth.org/images/plans/pl06.jpg


Here's some Gibson vintage guitar data

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson2.html#l1


It just appears its labeled(peanut shaped) differently today then from the original. I've been looking at the links you posted and still have yet to find an original pic of a ladder braced top with an angled tone bar. Do you know of any? Thank you.

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/
Top
 Profile  
 
kencierp
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:25 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Perhaps you could contact Ted Davis through the GAL he not only has pictures he has an actual guitar --- just a thought? I don't think he faked his drawing?

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/
Top
 Profile  
 
mike-p
PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 1:36 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:59 pm
Posts: 365
Location: Co cork Ireland
Country: Ireland
Focus: Build
Pretty sure it's been dubbed h or lazy h bracing. There's an early nick lucas picture here on this excellent thread.

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... ary?page=6
Top
 Profile  
 
kencierp
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 11:03 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
And yes Ted Davis' plan does include original photos -- here's another beautiful Lazy H that Folkway had up for sale.

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/museum/gibs ... -l-0-0812/

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/
Top
 Profile  
 
junior
PostPosted: Wed Mar 06, 2019 6:38 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2019 2:51 pm
Posts: 12
Hey guys, I’m hoping to resurrect this L-1 build thread!

How did your build go, Coach?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Top
 Profile  
 
Pmaj7
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:43 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:50 pm
Posts: 2257
Location: Seattle WA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Ruby50 wrote:
I just rebuilt a '33 L-00 (same as an L-1 except for the level of bling), and all of the top braces were just a hair over 3/16" at the widest, and had a very nice, sharp triangular shape to them.
Wow 3/16th! Possibly the culprit for the need to rebuild?



New username, same Pat Mac

_________________
Pat
Top
 Profile  
 
Ruby50
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:33 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:58 pm
Posts: 1449
First name: Ed
Last Name: Minch
City: Chestertown
State: MD
Zip/Postal Code: 21620
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That was a couple of years ago. Here is the reason for the rebuild. Looked like someone smashed it over a bedpost and the top was cracked from below after the back was shattered. Right now it is the best sounding guitar I have ever played (limited experience, but hey, it is a great guitar).

Below that is my most recent - another in the early pre 1930 L shape. This one is all Alaskan Yellow Cedar, back, sides, top, and neck. Sounds very crisp and balanced. She is 13 frets. I also built a a J-85 copy and this is the same body shape but 15 inch at the lower bout. It is actually the same shape as many early Gibsons, the Les Paul, and the J-200


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

These users thanked the author Ruby50 for the post (total 2): junior (Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:19 am) • Pmaj7 (Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:27 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
junior
PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:20 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2019 2:51 pm
Posts: 12
What type of wood is this blond guitar?
Top
 Profile  
 
Fred Tellier
PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:49 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:42 pm
Posts: 2360
Location: Windsor Ontario Canada
First name: Fred
Last Name: Tellier
City: Windsor
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: N8T2C6
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I had a friend who had a late 20's L0 which was a mahogany top and it was the lightest braced guitar I have ever seen. Very different body shape than the later L's the shape is the same as the one in the photo of Robert Johnson wearing the suit sitting with a L1 on his lap. The best expert on vintage gibsons it Mark Stutman at Folkway music in Guelph Ontario who ended up with the L0 my buddy had.

Fred

_________________
Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866


These users thanked the author Fred Tellier for the post: SnowManSnow (Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:13 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 18 posts ] 

Board index » Luthiers Forum Rooms » Guitar Building Forum

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 59 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com