Serial Number: 95359

Year shipped: 1938

FON:

Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo

Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and dot inlays from the third fret (see Notes below)

Body: Maple back and sides and large unbound f-holes similar to those found on some 17-inch L-5s of the period. Has kerfed top bracing

Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and open gear Grover G-98 tuners with metal butterbean buttons. Long bound pickguard

Notes: The body and neck have been refinished though the headstock face appears to have its original finish. A floating pickup has been installed. The serial number has been inked over (see photo of label) and the words “Repaired 1978 by Barker Guitars” appear in ink on the inside back of the guitar. It’s likely that the fingerboard has been replaced – one would expect to find an L-5 from this era with a block inlaid fingerboard.

Joe Spann tells us that this guitar was shipped on the following dates: 3rd May 1938, 18th May 1938, 11th Oct 1938, 9th Nov 1938, 27th Apr 1939, 20th Jan 1940, 26th Jul 1940, and 3rd Dec 1940

This is one of eight 16-inch L-5s shipped in 1938

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Photograph courtesy of Carco Clave