2003 Gibson Custom Shop L-7C

Gibson debuted the 17"-wide "Advanced" L-7 in 1935 during the golden era of jazz. Built to keep up with the horn section, Gibson archtops gave guitarists powerful—yet sweet and articulate—tone in the days before amplifiers. Very similar in size and construction to the L-5, the L-7 was a little bit cheaper and not quite as fancy. In 1948, the L-7 Premier (later called the L-7C) offered a cutaway for unfettered access up the neck.  This L-7C was made in 2003 in the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, under the direction of legendary luthier Ren Ferguson. Constructed of a carved Spruce top and Flame Maple back and sides, its body measures 21" long and 17" across the lower bout. Under the hood, the top is X-braced like the earlier-'30s Gibson archtops. Because of that, the X-braced top is a little flatter in the center, and it produces a sweeter, more open sound. The nut width measures 1-11/16", and the neck profile has a slight hint of a V. With the cutaway at the 17th fret, you're ab