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

Following generations of exceptional acoustic guitar craftsmanship, the Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret is a captivating iteration on a classic and – at the same time – a break from tradition for the small-bodied acoustic. The Gibson Century Collection of acoustic guitars celebrates a solid hundred years of Gibson magic at work with interesting takes on historic guitars.

Way back in the 1930s, Gibson kicked off their line of L Series acoustic guitars, one of which being their L-00. The parlor-sized acoustic fired up countless musicians with its smaller-scaled acoustic body covering so many musical bases. These L-00s featured a comfortable parlor body and a 14-Fret neck that met the fingerboard at the body at the fourteenth fret. Today's Century Collection 12-Fret takes an alternate route from Gibson tradition for a new path with alternative, inspirational takes on classic small-bodied acoustics.

This Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret sets off in a familiar way to other Gibson L-00s of generation past. For a comfortable feel under the arm and a robust sonic palette, the model's smaller-scaled, compact L Series body introduces a meetup of Sitka spruce and mahogany. Authentic Gibson acoustic richness breathes through the model's whole form to punch above its weight class with a formidable voice. A satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish wraps this model's body along with cream single-ply binding for a cool geometric flourish.

At this point, this L-00 bends from the usual narrative with its neck assembly. The model's mahogany neck joins in in the picture with the L-00 through compound dovetail neck joint assembly with vintage-accurate hot hide glue adhesive. A SlimTaper profile neck meets the 00-style body at the fingerboard's twelfth fret as opposed to the traditional fourteenth. The 12-Fret neck brings the fingerboard closer to the body for a new feel in the palm and on the fingers for a new angle on classic 00-style playability. A rosewood fingerboard enters bearing nineteen frets and Mother of Pearl Dot inlays.

The Gibson Century 12-Fret L-00 starts wrapping everything up with a lineup of fine hardware appointments. First, a rectangle rosewood bridge lands at the base of the 24.75" scale with a bone saddle and TUSQ bridge pins for a great connection and transfer motion string-to-body. Towards the famous Gibson headstock, a bone nut and Golden Age strap tuning machines with cream buttons for smooth stringing. This Gibson Century acoustic lines up an array of fine aesthetic appointments like a retro-inspired pickguard as it travels with an included premium Gibson Century Collection tweed hardshell case.

In its time and ours, the L-00 is a legendary model for the Gibson Century Collection.