Serial number: 72268

Year shipped: 1923

Virzi Number:

Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on Feb 28th 1923

Headstock: Prototype headstock shape, diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo

Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at fifth fret

Body: Maple back and sides. There is no evidence of a Virzi Tone Producer having been installed

Hardware: See Notes

Notes: This is one of just two L-5s known to have been shipped in 1923 (see serial number 73718). The first production batch of L-5s was signed and dated by Loar on the 31st of March 1924. The tuning gears are not what we would expect to find on a Loar era L-5. They were however standard issue for the Gibson L-1 through L-4 models at that point. While the tuners may have been replaced, it’s quite possible that the guitar version of the Waverly silver plated pearl buttoned tuners were not yet available, so these could be stock. The tailpiece has been replaced and the pickguard is missing