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Average Price: $2,399

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$200

$601+

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Description

Unlock the spirit of blues legends with the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1, a tribute to one of the most influential musicians in history. This exceptional acoustic guitar captures the haunting and timeless sound that has inspired countless artists over the decades. The L-1’s historic shallow body design and 25-inch scale length deliver a sound that is both intimate and powerful, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate the subtleties of acoustic blues.

Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 offers a well-balanced tonal palette. The tapered V-shaped mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard provide a comfortable playing experience, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly over its 19 frets. This guitar is not just a player’s delight but also a piece of art, featuring nickel Gotoh tuning machines with white buttons and a 1930s L-1 Pyramid Wings bridge, ensuring both tuning stability and a vintage aesthetic.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or a passionate hobbyist, the Robert Johnson L-1 promises to be a faithful companion in your musical journey. Its timeless design and superior craftsmanship are a testament to Gibson's unwavering commitment to quality and tradition.

Key Features:

  • Body Type: L Series Small
  • Top Wood: Solid Sitka Spruce
  • Back & Side Wood: Mahogany
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany with Tapered V-shape
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Scale Length: 25"
  • Number of Frets: 19
  • Tuning Machines: Nickel Gotoh with white buttons
  • Bridge: 1930s L-1 Pyramid Wings
  • Includes Hardshell Case

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model L-1 Robert Johnson
Finish Natural, Sunburst
Year 2003 - 2016
Made In United States
Categories Parlor Guitars
Active Preamp No
Artist Robert Johnson
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Parlor
Color Family Brown, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson L-1
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 18
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Montana Factory Era
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What is the body shape of the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1?

The Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 features a parlor body shape, which is known for its compact size and comfortable playability, making it ideal for fingerstyle blues and intimate performances.

What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1?

The Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 is constructed with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and an ebony fretboard, providing a warm, balanced tone with clear articulation.

Does the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 come with a pickup?

No, the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 does not come with a pickup, as it is designed as a purely acoustic instrument, emphasizing its natural sound quality.

How many frets does the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 have?

The Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 has 18 frets, offering a range that suits traditional blues and folk playing styles.

Is the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 offers excellent playability and sound quality, its historical significance and craftsmanship might be more appreciated by intermediate to advanced players.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Montana Robert Johnson L-1 • SN: 12292001

Video thumbnail for Gibson Montana Robert Johnson L-1  •  SN: 12292001 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Montana Robert Johnson L-1 • SN: 12292001

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 / First Blues by Jack Isidore

Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 / First Blues

Jack Isidore

Jack Isidore

Video thumbnail for Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson, Erwin van Ligten for The Fellowship of Acoustics by The Fellowship of Acoustics

Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson, Erwin van Ligten for The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Video thumbnail for The Gibson  L-1 Robert Johnson by sockenfrank

The Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson

sockenfrank

sockenfrank

Reviews

PROS

  • Surprisingly loud volume for its compact size

  • Exceptionally lightweight, making it easy to handle

  • Ebony bridge and fingerboard on older models offer superior quality

  • Beautiful craftsmanship with a nod to early 2004 production

  • Iconic Robert Johnson tones for blues enthusiasts

  • Delivers authentic, soul-shaking sound reminiscent of classic blues recordings

  • Highly praised for tone and volume suitable for live performances

CONS

  • Newer models switch from ebony to rosewood, affecting certain tonal qualities

Owner Insights

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

User experience

  • The neck features a deep V shape, which is noted to fit assertively in the hand, influencing playability.

    Source
  • Owners find the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 surprisingly small, which may affect comfort and playability for some musicians.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar excels at playing blues, attributed to its jangly strumming capabilities.

    Source
  • Some owners reserve their vintage L-1s for studio and special performances, opting for modern versions for regular gigs to preserve the original.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • It's highlighted that the pickguard can obstruct playing, suggesting some users may prefer to remove it for better access.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Vintage models can have a high value, with one owner reporting a purchase price of $3,200 a decade ago, not including additional import taxes.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
rikoflishas

this is my favorite guitar of all time : D

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jack White uses Gibson Robert Johnson L-1

Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The Raconteurs

...
Verified via Gibson

"Yeah, I played a Gibson L1 [on The White Stripes’ album Icky Thump]. That’s the Robert Johnson model. I have one from 1915. There are clips of me using that one all over the place on the last tour. We just put a surface-mounted pickup on it, one of those you tape on, like they use on a violin. It was hard to pull off live. But we do have songs where Meg wouldn’t play so loud and it would be okay. I love that guitar a lot. It’s probably my favorite."

See how Robert Johnson uses Gibson Robert Johnson L-1

Robert Johnson

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

This was Robert Johnson's main guitar during his career. Made of mahogany. Discontinued in 1937, but recently Gibson has made a reissue model with better stability.

In a January 2012 American Songwriter article, in reference to the photograph:

"[Robert Johnson] is holding a 1929 Gibson L-1. Schein says you can tell from “the seven dot markers, an unbound fingerboard, and slanted ‘The Gibson’ logo.” This is the first full-body shot of Johnson, also discovered by LaVere. (Another photo of Johnson and his nephew from this same photo shoot is believed to exist.)

Ren Ferguson, Gibson’s master luthier, says the L-1 in the photo is probably a “studio guitar, not the guitar he actually played.” In 1994, Gibson licensed the guitarist’s name and began producing a Robert Johnson Signature L-1. Ferguson and his team tested a number of L-1s from that era, but ended up making a few modern updates to the original guitar style. Johnson’s L-1 would have been latter-braced, says Ferguson, while now they use X-bracing to give the guitar more clarity and balance.

On the guitars that Johnson and other bluesmen in the ‘30s were playing, Ferguson says, “The notes decay really quick, which is part of what we hear on those old recordings.”

See how Jake Bugg uses Gibson Robert Johnson L-1

Jake Bugg

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

Jake Bugg can be seen using a Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 in this picture.

See how Olivia Jean uses Gibson Robert Johnson L-1

Olivia Jean

Singer, Guitarist

The Black Belles

...
Verified via Premierguitar

That acoustic is a Gibson L-1. It’s the famous one that Robert Johnson had. It is from 1917 or 1918. It’s a very special guitar and that’s my one acoustic guitar that I have. Only the best … [laughs].

Album Usage

The Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

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Used With

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

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