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Average Price: $3,208

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Meet the Gibson LG-1, a testament to Gibson's dedication to providing high-quality instruments for players of all skill levels. Born in the era of World War II, this acoustic guitar was designed to be a cost-effective alternative for budding musicians, without compromising on the quality synonymous with the Gibson brand. Its unique ladder-style bracing and construction using a spruce top and mahogany back, originally intended to economize, have now become a defining feature, offering a distinctive tone that sets the LG-1 apart.

Key Features:

  • Ladder-Style Bracing: This feature offers a unique tone and resonance, contributing to the guitar's distinct sound.
  • Affordable: Originally designed as a cost-effective model, making it a great choice for beginners or budget-conscious musicians.
  • Quality Materials: Constructed with a spruce top and mahogany back for a balanced, rich sound.
  • Historical Model: The LG-1 is a part of Gibson's legacy, having been introduced during WWII to provide a quality guitar for aspiring players.

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model LG-1
Finish Sunburst
Year 1947 - 1968
Made In United States
Categories Concert Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Concert
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson LG-1
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Kalamazoo Factory Era
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What is the body shape of the Gibson LG-1 and how does it affect the sound?

The Gibson LG-1 features a concert body shape, which is known for producing a balanced tone with a strong midrange, making it suitable for fingerpicking and strumming.

What type of bracing does the Gibson LG-1 use?

The Gibson LG-1 utilizes ladder bracing, which typically results in a brighter, more direct sound compared to the more complex X-bracing found in other models.

What materials are used for the Gibson LG-1's construction?

The Gibson LG-1 is constructed with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, providing a warm, resonant tone with a strong midrange presence.

Is the Gibson LG-1 suitable for beginners?

The Gibson LG-1 is a vintage model that may not be ideal for beginners due to its historical value and specific tonal characteristics, but it can be a great choice for experienced players seeking a vintage sound.

Does the Gibson LG-1 have a pickup system?

No, the Gibson LG-1 does not come with a built-in pickup system, as it is a purely acoustic guitar designed for traditional acoustic play.

TomoFujitaMusic

TomoFujitaMusic

1963 Gibson LG-1 Unboxing ... Vintage Acoustic Guitar that I bought it without playing...

Video thumbnail for 1963 Gibson LG-1 Unboxing ... Vintage Acoustic Guitar that I bought it without playing... by TomoFujitaMusic

1963 Gibson LG-1 Unboxing ... Vintage Acoustic Guitar that I bought it without playing...

TomoFujitaMusic

TomoFujitaMusic

Video thumbnail for 1963 Gibson LG-1 by Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

1963 Gibson LG-1

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Sammy Henrichsen playing our 1962 Gibson LG-1 here at Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Sammy Henrichsen playing our 1962 Gibson LG-1 here at Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1948 Gibson LG1 by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1948 Gibson LG1

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 3 Reasons You Should Check Out a Gibson LG-1 | 1964 Gibson LG-1 by Evan Ogden

3 Reasons You Should Check Out a Gibson LG-1 | 1964 Gibson LG-1

Evan Ogden

Evan Ogden

Video thumbnail for 1958 Gibson LG-1 by Emerald City Guitars

1958 Gibson LG-1

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for Buying your first vintage guitar...Will buys my 1959 Gibson LG1 by Jeremy Sheppard

Buying your first vintage guitar...Will buys my 1959 Gibson LG1

Jeremy Sheppard

Jeremy Sheppard

Video thumbnail for The Gibson LG-1 Shoot Out!!! Comparing The 1940's and 1950's by The Neurotic Guitarist

The Gibson LG-1 Shoot Out!!! Comparing The 1940's and 1950's

The Neurotic Guitarist

The Neurotic Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Gibson LG1 Sunburst 1965 played by Milo Groenhuijzen | Demo @ The Fellowship of Acoustics by TFOA Demos

Gibson LG1 Sunburst 1965 played by Milo Groenhuijzen | Demo @ The Fellowship of Acoustics

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Video thumbnail for Gibson LG1 1958 VG w/ Anthem played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo @ The Fellowship of Acoustics by TFOA Demos

Gibson LG1 1958 VG w/ Anthem played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo @ The Fellowship of Acoustics

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique ladder bracing offers a mellow, distinctive tone

  • Exceptionally resonant and punchy sound, great for cutting through other instruments

  • Compact size makes it a comfortable concert guitar and songwriting tool

  • Tobacco Sunburst finish is visually stunning

  • Excellent for blues with a "cheap" honky, boxy sound

  • Harmonically accurate, making it a joy to play

  • Well-suited for amplification with LR Baggs Anthem SL

  • Vintage charm brings nostalgic value for some players

  • Provides value compared to pricier alternatives like the LG-2/3

  • Offers a dynamic pick response for versatile play

CONS

  • Some units may arrive with missing or loose braces

  • Tuners may become stiff over time but are replaceable

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson LG-1.

Build quality

  • The LG-1 features a plastic bridge that is screwed down rather than glued, which some consider a design flaw.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Bridge replacement and minimal bracing repair can cost around $500, with neck resets estimated at $400-$800 depending on location.

    Source
  • Maintaining a humidity level of 45-50% is crucial for the longevity of vintage guitars like the LG-1.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The LG-1 has a unique, boxy sound due to ladder bracing, contrasting with the more resonant sound of the x-braced LG-2.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Some owners use silk and steel strings to compensate for high action without resetting the neck.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices can vary significantly, with some estimates in the low to mid $1,000s depending on condition and repairs needed.

    Source
  • Vintage LG-1 models are currently listed between $3,650 and $5,179 on Reverb, indicating a significant increase in value over the years.

    Source

Other

  • Acoustic guitars improve acoustically as they age, especially if well cared for, enhancing their tonal quality over time.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Elvis Presley uses Gibson LG-1

Elvis Presley

Singer, Guitarist

The Blue Moon Boys

...
Verified via Scottymoore

In this scene from "Viva Las Vegas" (1964) Elvis is holding a LG-1.

See how Soccer Mommy uses Gibson LG-1

Soccer Mommy

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via guitarworld

Her new acoustic guitar, named "Allison", mentioned in the December 2022 issue of Guitar World, where she was interviewed about her guitar. Quite possibly as a replacement of the Recording King Soccer Mommy used earlier.

See how Bruce Kulick uses Gibson LG-1

Bruce Kulick

Guitarist

Kiss

...
Verified via YouTube

"Here's my 1963 Gibson Acoustic, used on the Carnival Of Souls LP song, "I Will Be There" and various songs from the UNION debut. Small but full of tone, it's one of my favorite instruments to play"

See how Patti Smith uses Gibson LG-1

Patti Smith

Singer, Guitarist

Patti Smith Group

...
Verified via Gibson

"Though Smith has donated a number of signed items to the auction, the premier auction offering is her 1956 Gibson LG-1 acoustic guitar to be signed by her at the event."

See how Kevin Starrs uses Gibson LG-1

Kevin Starrs

Singer, Guitarist

Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In this interview kevin says he used a 1947 gibson LG-1 in the studio while recording Wasteland

See how Alice Phoebe Lou uses Gibson LG-1

Alice Phoebe Lou

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Alice Phoebe Lou uses a 1950s Gibson LG-1 as her main acoustic guitar. This is evident from her performance on KEXP, where she played this guitar during her set.

See how Scott Avett uses Gibson LG-1

Scott Avett

Singer, Guitarist

The Avett Brothers

...
Verified via YouTube

Scott Avett is playing a sunburst Gibson LG-1 in multiple youtube videos.

See how John Darnielle uses Gibson LG-1

John Darnielle

Singer, Guitarist

The Mountain Goats

...
Verified via Gibson

"In the studio this time around, Darnielle predominately recorded with his newly acquired ’56 Gibson LG-1."

See how Mike Krompass uses Gibson LG-1

Mike Krompass

Guitarist

Smash Mouth

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, posted by Krompass on official Instagram profile, the Gibson LG-1 can be seen.

See how Nikki Lane uses Gibson LG-1

Nikki Lane

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

"I'm playing a Gibson LG-1, it's a black acoustic guitar which I asked to be made when we went to the Gibson Custom Shop for the first time in Montana this summer. I finally got a vacation, and my best friend lives in Bozeman, Montana, and while I was there, Gary Briggs from my label called and said, "Are you going to be anywhere near Bozeman, Montana, any time soon?" and I said, 'Well, we're here on vacation right now."

Gary said we should stop by the Gibson Custom Shop to see how they make the acoustic guitars. It was a really cool, educational tour. As a musician, you're always like, "Where is my guitar made?" It's like that with anything you have; you wonder, "Where is it made?" and "Who's making it?"

The Gibson shop answered those questions. They make their acoustic guitars in Bozeman just because they're able to control the humidity a lot better there than they can in Tennessee, which I thought was pretty interesting. I also saw that they have a staff of 95 people who do about 100 guitars a day; each person has one component of the guitar that all goes into each instrument, so I got to see that there was a fret guy and an inlay guy. There's even a guy who does the little silver things in between each fret. Meeting all of those people was really cool.

At the end of the tour, we were looking at different guitars and I obviously like the LG-1; it comes as a blonde, but I wanted a black guitar, and there was some discrepancy as to whether that would be allowed. But we received it about a month ago in the Austin Custom Shop while we were there for Austin City Limits; Gibson let me take it to play for a couple of events. I asked why there was a concern about making a black guitar, and they said that it had taken a while to decide to do a black one because they hadn't made a black acoustic guitar since Johnny Cash died. I wasn't allowed, obviously, to have his model, but I was able to have the parlor-style, which is the LG-1 that I wanted anyway. So now, me and Johnny Cash — that's pretty cool and really flattering! I've enjoyed breaking it in and hopefully not breaking it." - Lane in an interview with TheCurrent.com (http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2014/11/26/the-current-s-guitar-collection-nikki-lane-)

See how Buzzy Lao uses Gibson LG-1

Buzzy Lao

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Buzzy Lao - Stella Magica (Unplugged)," Buzzy Lao is seen using a Gibson LG-1 as his main acoustic guitar on stage.

See how Tom Vanstiphout uses Gibson LG-1

Tom Vanstiphout

Guitarist

Bart Peeters en ideale mannen

...
Verified via Photo

Tom Vanstiphout mentions in the comments of his Instagram post that he uses a Gibson LG-1, highlighting its role during a performance on the #wemustbecrazytour with Milow in Vienna.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson LG-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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