Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $3,212
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
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.
Videos
TomoFujitaMusic
1963 Gibson LG-1 Unboxing ... Vintage Acoustic Guitar that I bought it without playing...
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
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
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
"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"
"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."
In this interview kevin says he used a 1947 gibson LG-1 in the studio while recording Wasteland
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.
"In the studio this time around, Darnielle predominately recorded with his newly acquired ’56 Gibson LG-1."
In this photo, posted by Krompass on official Instagram profile, the Gibson LG-1 can be seen.
"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-)
Album Usage
The Gibson LG-1 has been featured on the following albums:
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.
More Gibson Steel-string Acoustic Guitars
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Steel-string Acoustic Guitars
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
ssquiresGear IQ 2008
-