Description
Description & Specifications
1936 Gibson L-00 -Black
We present an original 1936 Gibson L-00 in original black lacquer finish. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Pre-war flat top.
History
Gibson L-00 Model flat top acoustic guitar, introduced in the early 1930s as part of Gibson’s L-series, which became the company’s most popular Depression-era flat tops throughout the decade. The L-0 / L-00 family offered professional-grade instruments at an affordable price point and were widely used by blues players, hillbilly string bands, and working musicians of the era.
This L-00 example dates to 1936 (original list price $27.50 without case) and represents one of the less common black-finished variants from the mid-1930s. While the 1936 L-00 was officially cataloged in sunburst, documented black-finished examples from this period are known to exist, making this a rare non-catalog but period-correct factory variation.
Batch identification suggests this instrument was part of a larger late-1936 production run (neck block marking not visible, but batch sequence indicates #35 in the batch). It is closely related to other documented 1936 L-00 examples from multi-instrument factory batches produced in Kalamazoo. At this time, Gibson’s L-series was still evolving, with variations in trim and specification appearing across batches. The later catalog transition toward the L-0 designation for black-finished models further illustrates this transitional period in Gibson’s pre-war production.
Condition
Overall this Gibson flat-top is in very good condition with honest play wear and older professional repairs. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and original black lacquer finish showing checking, dings, scratches and general play wear. No major finish loss. The notable repaired spruce grain split behind the bridge runs through the lower bout area, fully sealed and cleated with internal reinforcement. Additional smaller stabilized splits in the bridge area. Top center seam resealed at lower section.
The mahogany neck with slim pre-war “V” profile shows light handling wear with small dings along the back of the neck. Beautiful dark rosewood fingerboard with light wear, original small-wire frets lightly crowned in lower positions but fully playable.
The original rosewood bridge, slightly lowered and reglued. It has the original small maple bridgeplate with wear to pin holes and glue residue at front edge. Firestripe tortoise pickguard is in great shape and three-ply soundhole ring intact. Open-back Kluson-style reissue tuners installed without modification to the headstock.
The tone and feel of this incredible acoustic guitar is absolutely fantastic — a super lightweight acoustic guitar with a huge voice.
Originality
Original black lacquer finish, showing natural checking and wear consistent with age. The finish remains intact across the entire instrument, with no overspray or refinishing detected. Original spruce top, mahogany back, sides and neck, with original rosewood fingerboard and original rosewood bridge that has been lowered and reglued. Original ebony nut remains in place, along with the original maple bridgeplate showing expected wear to the pin holes from decades of use. Original firestripe pickguard and three-ply soundhole rosette are intact. The guitar is fitted with later Kluson-style open-back tuners installed cleanly without any modification to the headstock.
Comes with a newer hardshell case from the 70s. Latches and handle are in perfect working order.
Reviewed by a skilled luthier:
Top grain splits behind bridge and in lower bout area professionally stabilized and cleated with full-length internal reinforcement. Additional small splits in bridge area sealed and secured. Center seam repaired at lower bout. Bridge lowered and reglued for proper geometry. Full setup carried out. Instrument structurally solid and fully playable.
A 90-year-old pre-war Gibson guitar that has survived, still alive, resonant, and fully playable today.
