2011 Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson

Description

I’ve had this Gibson L-1 Robert Johnson for a few years now, and it’s honestly one of those guitars that just feels right in your hands. It’s not flashy, but it has that deep, warm growl that’s perfect for blues and slide — exactly what Robert Johnson’s music was all about.

The original 1926 L-1 was a parlor guitar with a flat top and a smaller body, and this version keeps that same shape — boxy, compact, and with a tone that cuts through the mix without being too loud. It’s a solid Sitka spruce top with x-bracing, mahogany back and sides, and that classic sunburst finish. The neck has a modified V-profile, 25-inch scale, and a 1.75-inch nut width — all the same as the originals from the late 1920s. The headstock even has the old-school mother of pearl “The Gibson” logo, which is a nice little detail.

I bought it in a good state, set up with new Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb 11s, and it’s been through a bit of light repair — the bridge used to separate from the body, and our luthier reattached it and gave it a quick touch-up just above the bridge. You can see the detail in the last photo.

It comes with the original Gibson hard case, which is solid and still looks great. I’ve kept it stored well, so it’s in good shape overall.

It’s based in Hungerford, West Berkshire, so if you’re local, I can just hand it over for free. For those further afield, shipping’s covered — £35 to the rest of the UK (fully insured, 24-hour courier), £185 to US/Canada (UPS), or £65 to the EU. International shipping outside of those areas, I’d recommend getting in touch with Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars directly for a quote.

It’s not cheap — it’s around £1,795 — but it’s a real piece of blues history, and I’m happy to part with it. Just thought someone might appreciate it as much as I do.