Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Amber

For generations of fine acoustic guitar craftsmanship, the Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret is a loving revival and break from tradition with one of the name's iconic small-bodied acoustics. The Gibson Century Collection of acoustic guitars celebrates a solid century of Gibson mojo with fresh, interesting takes on a historic model.

Way, way back in a time known as the 1930s, Gibson debuted their L-00 acoustic as part of their L Series of acoustics. The parlor-sized shape inspired countless musicians for a small-scaled acoustic to cover many musical bases. These L-00s featured a now-familiar 14-Fret neck assembly that met the fingerboard and body at the fourteenth fret. Today's Century Collection 12-Fret bends from the usual path for an inspiring, alternative take on the classic parlor-style.

This Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret sets out similarly to other L-00s. First, the model's smaller, compact L Series body comes together with a match of Sitka spruce and mahogany. Breathing authentic Gibson musicality into every inch, the L-00 body punches well above its weight class for a full, authoritative voice spurred on by its iconic tonewood match. A satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish wraps this comfortably compact body with cream single-ply binding for a cool geometric accent.

At this juncture, this L-00 breaks Gibson same-old, same-old with its neck. The model's mahogany neck joins the L-00 body through compound dovetail neck joint assembly with vintage-accurate hot hide glue adhesive. A SlimTaper-profiled neck meets the body at the fingerboard's twelfth fret, as opposed to Gibson's usual fourteenth. This 12-Fret neck and board length introduce all-new playing feels in the palm and on the fingertips for a new experience worth the trip. A rosewood fingerboard meets up with this neck bearing nineteen frets and Mother of Pearl Dot inlays.

This unique 12-Fret L-00 takes a victory lap with a suite of fine hardware appointments. First, a rectangular rosewood bridge appears at the base of the 24.75" scale with a bone saddle and TUSQ bridge pins for a solid connection and transfer of motion string-to-body. At the scale's opposite end, the iconic Gibson headstock is lined with a bone nut and Golden Age strap tuning machines with cream buttons for smooth stringing. This Gibson Century acoustic features a number of aesthetic appointments like a retro-inspired pickguard as it travels with an included premium Gibson Century Collection tweed hardshell case.

A hundred years up, a hundred years down, and the L-00 Century 12-Fret knows how to get it done.