Few modern songwriters bridge the traditions of American roots music and contemporary soul as naturally as Nathaniel Rateliff. Known for his captivating performances with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Rateliff has become a powerful voice in modern Americana. His approach blends folk storytelling, gospel intensity, and vintage R&B into songs that feel both timeless and deeply personal. The Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western is Gibson’s tribute to Rateliff. This signature model is a small-body flat-top inspired by the vintage instruments Rateliff prefers for writing, recording, and performance.
Introduced in the early 1940s, the LG-2 provides a compact alternative to Gibson's larger dreadnoughts, pairing a comfortable body size with warm, focused projection and the responsiveness of X-braced construction. A favorite for songwriters, its balanced voice is clear enough for fingerstyle, yet punchy when driven with a flatpick. The Rateliff LG-2 Western draws from the body design of Nathaniel's personal "Banner" LG-2, while incorporating the fingerboard inlay and peghead design of his late-’60s Country Western.
Built by the Gibson Custom team in Bozeman, Montana, the Rateliff LG-2 Western starts with a solid Adirondack Red Spruce top and solid Mahogany back and sides. With 1940s-inspired X-bracing under the hood, it produces a dry, articulate voice that leans toward the classic Gibson mid-range character. It has a 24.75" scale length, and the mahogany neck has a chunkier Historic-style profile that has a hint of a V. On the fingerboard, it has the same split parallelogram inlays you'll see on the Southern Jumbo and Country Western flat-tops. On the peghead, Gibson's crown headstock inlay makes it clear this is a top-tier model.
This 2024 Gibson Custom Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western is gently used and shows minimal signs of play and use. The worst is some scant pick wear around the pickguard area, and there are a few tiny marks on the back from a buckle or zipper (see photos). It has a factory-installed LR Baggs Element VTC pickup and a strap button on the neck heel. This Rateliff LG-2 Western includes its original case, Certificate of Authenticity, and factory checklist. This is a sweet small-body Gibson with some vibe and character!