Serial Number: FA 5083

Year Shipped: 1940

FON:

Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo

Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel

Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Natural finish and large bound f-holes 

Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with plastic buttons.

Notes: Gibson L-5N serial number FA-5083. It was originally taken out of the factory by Charles Havenga as a salesman’s sample on 20^th  February 1940 in  a second-hand #600 case. The guitar was returned for repairs and reshipped on 4th Feb 1942 to Lyon & Healy in a #606 case.

The guitar has been re-fretted and fitted with a replacement pickguard and bridge (the original bridge is stored in the case). A floating pickup and an end pin jack socket have been installed.

The name ‘Melvin Severson’ and ‘265 Band’ are hand-written on the case.

This guitar is one of 38 Natural finished Advanced L-5s shipped in 1940

Images courtesy of Peter Lovett