Gibson L-7 “Charlie Christian” Sunburst 1944

This L-7 was built in 1944, in the midst of the wartime period when Gibson’s regular guitar production was severely limited by the war effort. The Gibson features a solid spruce top and an impressively figured/quilted maple back and sides. The back and sides, in particular, are exceptionally beautiful: the maple displays a typical, vibrant flame that stands out beautifully beneath the transparent dark Sunburst finish.

Over the years, the original L-7 has been tastefully modified, drawing clear inspiration from the legendary Gibson ES-250. For example, the guitar features a Charlie Christian-style pickup, presumably sourced from https://ccpickups.co.uk/. The pickguard and knobs are also based on the ES-250. The result is a highly successful combination of an authentic 1940s Gibson archtop and the iconic look of the ES-250.

On the headstock, we find Golden Age tuners, which have replaced the original ones. The back of the neck has been refinished, but is otherwise in good condition and shows no cracks or other structural damage. The guitar is an impressive instrument, both visually and structurally.

A truly special Gibson for fans of early jazz guitars. Comes with a sturdy modern case.