Serial number: 86811
Year shipped: 1931
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo, trussrod cover engraved with the name ‘Joseph Martori’
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end, wide pearloid block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Long bound pickguard
Notes: The tuners and bridge have been replaced. Repaired top crack
Owner Tim Fees says, “This guitar has a repaired top crack. The previous owner replaced the original tuners with Waverleys and in the process the holes were enlarged.
“When I acquired the guitar from Joe Vinikow (Archtop.com), the original tuners were back on it but since they did not work well with the enlarged holes, I put the Waverleys back on. I also had a bone nut made and on the advice of luthier Ken Miller, replaced the original bridge with a 1950s Brazilian rosewood bridge.”
Tim explains: “Jorma Kaukonen tried out my 1928* Gibson L-5 at Fur Peace Ranch. He and Barry Mitterhoff played this song for us in concert the night before. They had just added it to Hot Tuna’s repertoire. We students got the privilege of hearing it first. I liked the way Jorma played the instrumental version on the archtop, too. “
*Note that according to Joe Spann’s serial number list this guitar was shipped in 1931
Images courtesey of Tim Fees