Gibson L-4

Introduced in 1912 with a 16-inch body and an oval sound hole, the L-4 had switched to a round soundhole by early 1928 and f-holes in 1935. By this point it carried a $100 price tag making it Gibson’s cheapest f-hole archtop with a carved top and back.

Note that unlike the L-5, L-7, L-10 and L-12, the L-4 did NOT switch to a 17 inch wide ‘Advanced’ body in 1935, remaining 16-inches wide until it was discontinued in 1956.

Gibson L-4 Serial Number 94615 shipped 1937

Images courtesy of George Gruhn and Eric C Newell of Gruhn Guitars

To read about Gibson’s little-known 14-fret neck oval hole L-4 guitars, click here