Serial number: 90602 Andy Nelson

Year shipped: 1934

FON: 642

Headstock: Horizontal ‘The Gibson’ logo, bone nut

Neck/fingerboard: See Notes below

Body: Maple back and sides. Kerfed braces topped with a solid cap 

Hardware: Original patent stamped ebony bridge  (see Notes below)

Notes: This L-5 belonged to Gibson demonstrator and sales manager Andy Nelson. It is said to have been re-necked at the Gibson factory in the mid 1950s with the original dot fingerboard and headstock overlay having been retained but there is no record of a factory repair shipment to any Gibson instrument with serial number 90602 for the period March 1935 through January 1953. In addition, it seems unlikely that an L-5 shipped in the mid 1930s would have had a dot inlaid fingerboard.

The back centre seam has been resealed at both the top and bottom. The tailpiece, tuners and pickguard are not original. A DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief floating pickup has been fitted. Has original case.

Images above courtesy of Larry Grinnell

Images below courtesy of Joe Vinikow at Archtop.com