{"product_id":"gibson-l-3-acoustic-archtop-1920","title":"Gibson L-3 Acoustic Archtop 1920 Non-Original Tailpiece w\/ Chipboard Case","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo sales tax for US customers outside California.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gibson L-3 was part of the company's earliest archtop line, predating the more famous L-5 by several years. In 1920, Gibson was building these guitars by hand in Kalamazoo, carving tops rather than pressing them, and the L-3 sat just above the entry-level L-1 in the catalog. These instruments were the working guitars of the early jazz and ragtime era, and surviving examples in playable condition are genuinely scarce. The finish on this one is original and in amazing shape for a 106 year old guitar. The ebony fretboard, bone nut, and original ebony bridge and saddle are period-correct details that matter to collectors. The original tortoiseshell pickguard survives as well. This is a legitimate piece of American guitar-making history from Gibson's early years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hand-carved solid spruce top over laminated maple back and sides in a 13-3\/4\" lower-bout archtop body is the construction formula here. That combination — carved spruce responding to a shallow, relatively narrow arched body — produces a focused, midrange-forward tone with natural compression and a woody, dry character typical of early Gibson archtops. This is not a loud guitar by modern standards, but it projects with clarity and has the kind of intimate, woody resonance that makes these early L-series instruments appealing for fingerpicking, chord melody, and parlor-style playing. At 4 lbs 4 oz with a 24-1\/8\" scale and 1-7\/8\" nut, it plays like the small, comfortable instrument it is. Overall condition is good for a guitar that has been around since 1920 — over a century of use and it still holds together and plays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tailpiece is non-original — that is the most significant departure from stock. The headstock was modified to accept the current generic repro MIJ open-gear tuners, which are also non-original. The nut has been shimmed. The bridge has been shimmed at some point as well, though it is original. There was a refret done at some point — it's described as well done, and fret condition is very good. The back shows signs of repair near the rear, possibly from shrinkage pulling the back away from the sides; there is a cleat visible inside on the back. Action is low at 2\/32\" on both the first and sixth strings at the 12th fret. A non-original output-jack-style strap button is present at the rear. Comes in a generic chipboard case in fair condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"product-spec-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eColor: Sunburst\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFinish Original?: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFinish Condition: Good for 106 years old!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eWeight: 4lbs 4oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eOverall Length: 38-18\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNut Width: 1-7\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eString Spacing At Bridge: 2.336\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eScale Length: 24-1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eAction 1st String At 12th Fret: 2\/32\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eAction 6th String At 12th Fret: 2\/32\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Material: Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eInlay: Mother of Pearl Dot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Thickness At 1st Fret: 1.045\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Condition: Very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Repairs: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTuner Brand And Model: Generic repro MIJ open gear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTuners Original?: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eChanges To Headstock For Tuners?: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTruss Rod Cover: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNut Original: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNut Material: Bone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNut Repairs: Shimmed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFretboard Material: Ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFretboard Condition: Very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFretboard Radius: 7.25\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFretboard Repairs: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFret Condition: Very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFret Repairs: Well done refret at some point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFret Count: 19\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBody Length: 19\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eLower Bout: 13-3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eWaist: 8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eUpper Bout: 10-1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBody Depth\/Thickness: 3-5\/16\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Material: Hand-carved solid spruce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Condition: Very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Cracks: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Repairs: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Binding: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTop Binding Condition: Good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBack \u0026amp; Side Material: Laminated Maple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBack \u0026amp; Side Condition: Good, looks repaired at some point near rear. Maybe some shrinkage of the back pulling away from the side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBack \u0026amp; Side Repairs: Cleat inside on back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBack \u0026amp; Side Binding: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBridge Wood: Ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBridge Original?: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBridge Condition: Very good, shimmed at some point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSaddle Material: Ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSaddle Original?: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSaddle Condition: Very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePickguard Color: Tortoise Shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePickguard Original?: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eStrap Buttons: Yes, non original. Leftover output jack style at rear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePickup System: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCase Brand: Generic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCase Original?: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCase Condition: Fair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCase Smells?: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eAccessories Included: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eString Gauge: 12-53\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eDocumentation: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSmells?: None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNotes: Non original tailpiece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCondition: Good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Thickness At 8th Fret: 1.325\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eNeck Profile: Chunky pronounced V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/pages\/sell-vintage-guitars\"\u003eWe buy, sell, and take trades.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/gibson-guitars\" title=\"Vintage and used Gibson guitars at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\"\u003eGibson Guitars\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/vintage-fender-guitars\" title=\"Vintage and used Fender guitars at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\"\u003eFender Guitars\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/amps\" title=\"Vintage and used guitar amplifiers at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\"\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Used Amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/effect-pedals\" title=\"Vintage and used effects pedals at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\"\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Used Effects Pedals\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShipping Policy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to \u003ca href=\"mailto:sales@maharsvintageguitars.com\"\u003esales@maharsvintageguitars.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStringed Instruments\u003c\/b\u003e: Multiple shipping speeds are available for orders on our website — Ground, 2 Day, 3 Day, and Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb orders: customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56578698379430,"sku":"G-2299","price":3349.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0455\/7527\/4662\/files\/20260604_142000.jpg?v=1780610645","url":"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/products\/gibson-l-3-acoustic-archtop-1920","provider":"Mahar's Vintage Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}