1958 Gibson LG-2, Sunburst

By Gibson
£2,995.00

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Charming Gibson LG-2 from 1958 with Dearmond 210 pickup and Durabilt Alligator Case. Despite only being in production for 20 years the LG-2 was a great seller for Gibson and proves to still be a very popular small body guitar amongst players and collectors today. Featuring a 14 1/8 wide body with an X-braced, Solid Sitka Spruce Top, Honduran Mahogany back and sides, a Honduran Mahogany Neck, Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays and rectangular Rosewood bar Bridge, Silkscreened Gold Gibson Logo, Tortoiseshell pickguard and Nickel plated Kluson tuners.

The LG-2 model is part of a range that was initially released in 1942 as a trio of instruments, the LG-1, LG-2 and the LG-3. Very few instruments were shipped before production was streamlined during the American involvement in World War II leaving the LG-2 as the sole model to receive the ‘Banner’ headstock treatment. Post-war as production and model numbers increased again, the LG proved to be quite a success for Gibson with each model having its own features but all sharing the same 14 1/8 size. The LG-1 would feature a ladder braced spruce top with Sunburst finish with the LG-2 having the same Sunburst finish but importantly an X-braced spruce top and finally the X-braced LG-3 would have a natural finish. In 1958 the affordable LG-0 would join the range with its full mahogany body and ladder braced top.

This super example is in great condition with a beautifully aged late 50’s style Sunburst finish. The thin lacquer finish has checked and there's a spot of pick wear between the bridge and soundhole and the guitar is generally covered in a light patina of dings and scratches typical of a near 65 year old acoustic, but it's really quite clean otherwise. The neck has a wonderfully played in feel, it has the quintessential ’58 Gibson neck, a large comfortably rounded C profile and 1 11/16th nut width. The frets are in great shape with some wear to the first position but plenty of life left. The action is 3/32” at the 12th fret and playability is excellent. The saddle has 2/32 height at the bridge. The guitar has seen some running repairs, the top has had a center seam drift glued and cleated internally. The original maple bridge plate has also been reinforced. The original tuners have been replaced with a modern set of reproduction Klusson with no other holes drilled.

It’s easy to see why the LG-2 was popular initially for Gibson and why it is as popular a model today when smaller acoustics are in such vogue. The compact proportions and X-braced construction give the LG-2 a different sound to it’s ladder braced cousins, with a warmth and richness much like a smaller, compressed J-45. Excellent for fingerstyle the guitar also strums well. The period DeArmond 210 has a pot code of 1957. The DeArmond 210 has become well known for being used by Lightnin' Hopkins on many early performances, it has a fat, powerful tone that's great for strumming and fingerstyle and suits the guitar well.

The guitar comes with the photographed period Gibson Durabilt Aligator Case.