A rare gem from the golden age of archtop guitars, the L-75 stands as a testament to Gibson’s artistry during the pre-war era. Introduced in 1932, the L-75 evolved year after year, but by the 1935, the spec settled into a very cool—and also extremely rare—configuration. A 16" archtop with a round soundhole and an elevated fingerboard, the 1935 L-75 fills a unique sonic space between Gibson’s smaller L-series flattops and more ornate archtops like the L-5.
This 1935 L-75 is a beautiful example of this rare Gibson model. Its voice is dry and punchy with excellent projection and midrange focus. The round soundhole lends a woody warmth and immediacy that’s perfect for old-school jazz, blues, and old-time roots styles. Under the hood, the top is supported by two parallel top braces like a proper archtop, but there are two additional ladder braces—almost like you see on a flat-top guitar—that help reinforce any stability lost from the 4"-diameter soundhole.
Gibson was experimenting with the "advanced" longer scale in the mid-'30s, but interestingly the 1935 L-75 has the shorter 24-7/8" scale length that gives Gibsons their characteristic sweet tone and feel. The L-75 fills a unique sonic space in the Gibson line, but it also fills a unique aesthetic space. This 1935 L-75 has a full-body sunburst, including sunburst on the back of the neck, the back of the headstock, and even the sides of the headstock. While other Gibson guitars have sunburst sides, there aren't many others that share this unique sunburst pattern that runs the length of the side, instead of across. On the peghead, the L-75 has an elegant column-like inlay that is only found on this model, and this 1935 L-75 also has pearl-inlaid Gibson script.
Despite the decades, this 1935 Gibson L-75 finds us in excellent condition. Sure it shows the finish-checking and patina of the years, but repair history looks to be absolutely minimal. The pickguard is long-gone, the bridge may not be original, and the fingerboard has been refretted. From a structural perspective, this L-75 is 100% stable—no cracks, seam separations, or issues. The carved top is a little flat underneath the bridge, and that's typical of '30s Gibson archtops. Nevertheless, the action is currently in a very playable, manageable spot, and the authentic '30s V neck feels just right. The original Grover tuning machines still hold tune nicely, too.
All around, this 1935 Gibson L-75 feels like a rare find and a special piece of Gibson history. Good luck finding another one in as nice, playable condition. This archtop fills an interesting void in the Gibson line, and it produces a haunting, resonant tone that will keep you coming back for years. There's a sweet mid-range focus that compresses and sustains like you wouldn't believe. This is a special prewar Gibson, and it includes its original case.