1933 Gibson L-00 - My Go-To for Vintage Tone

[@davidshawl2261]

This is one of the best videos of a Gibson L-00 that is out there. This little guitar has a great full balanced tone, and Reed Jones' playing is so nice. So very nice. Good job sir. And I sure hope you hang on to the L-00. I wouldn't let that one get away.

[@reedj112]

Thanks so much for those kind words. That is one special guitar, it would definitely be among the last to go!

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I very recently got myself a 1933 Kalamazoo KG-11; one of the examples that has the solid (not kerfed) interior binding, and what I think they call a "target style" burst, where the top is almost entirely black except for a grapefruit sized circle just next to the sound-hole. It appears to have never had any pick guard installed; and it has a moderate V neck. I'm amazed at how good shape she's in, with nary a ding one the headstock or the neck. It's a featherweight build, at around 3 lbs. I don't think it sounds quite as good as your L-00, but it's still in the process of being set-up, and may need some new frets and a new nut, as well as the neck reset that it's just had. But I have to say, it is most definitely the 'sister' to your Gibson L-00; it sounds very similar; who knows but they may have been on the bench together? It doesn't have a serial number, that I can see, but it does have a three digit ink stamp inside. I was told it was built in 1933 based on the 'target burst', the non kerfed lining, and the numbers... I may consider upgrading the tuning machines, as the (original) ones on it aren't the greatest, and I like to do a lot of alt-tuning. Do you have any recommendations as to what model tuners would be right to use? Cheers!

[@WS-bk7uu]

Lovely sound and playing!

[@reedj112]

Many thanks!

[@mitzioden4926]

What a beautiful tone that you pull out of the guitar! Great choice of song too.

[@vancecooper3541]

This is reminiscent of the hymn “Just as I am”. What a beautiful sound!

[@reedj112]

It is a hymn: "Sweet Hour of Prayer."

[@ままよな]

90年も経ってるのに、この音、きれい。

[@jeffricharda1053]

Absolutely beautiful Hallelujah

[@RobertTolman-k2z]

So good!

[@Mason_Wright]

Nice

[@GIBKEL]

There you go again. We know each other very well...well our ears agree. What a honey of an L- you sounded great and was maybe your best mic/mix. Really great sound and playing-never rushed and it shined. I thought I’d share a recent head spin -I have a variety of the OO’s, one being a 1930 -12 fret Kel Kroydon (Parrot motif)and I bought an extra-light set of Dadarios to teach my wife. I had only ever played with lights. It’s sounded great but after stringing it up I realized I had been “over”-driving the top all these years. It opened up a cavern of sound I had never heard. I’m going to try some more extra-lights on my two other on a couple other. It is exquisite now. I’ve had this guitar for 16 years and it’s never sounded better-no truss-rod and I haven’t put it down and the strings still sound fresh after a month. I hadn’t see you in a while so I thought I’d share. Cheers and stay well my sonic sibling. One more thing and I may have already asked-solid or kerfed rims? Brilliant!

[@reedj112]

Kerfed rims. I've only had one of those Kel Kroydon's in my hands, and if memory serves me correctly, they are built quite a bit lighter than an L-00. I can see using extra lights on one of those. I use lights on this L-00 and mediums on dreds. There's a tonal tradeoff that exists when you go lighter or heavier with strings. I think it really depends on what you're playing and what you're going for. I bet that's a sweet guitar!

[@GIBKEL]

@@reedj112 I was shocked hearing a fantastic guitar go other level and maybe it was a bit more drastic as it’s a 12 fret. It now has more bass response, with lighter strings than the thermal top J I’ve had for a few years. Channel is looking and sounding great with smart questions. I think there is a world that hasn’t been tapped. Electric is done to death. To be honest, I rarely hear bigger difference in the electric. I know they do nu hard for a room to capture, and of course, and not unlike acoustics, that feel can never bee communicated. That 33’ you played tonight got damn near their. But I’m a such a fan and spent so much time in that corner of the world. It’s where I live. The older I get, I don’t necessarily think I’m a better player but I always come away learning something as sound is so subtle, and I explore without my flub-up spanking me hitting me in the head at 11’. The other point, maybe it’s the times we’re living, life being precious, is I walk away thinking was that was the best time ever I’ve had playing.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

@GIBKEL I am massively envious of your Kel Kroydon with the parrot stencil art. It's my dream guitar! I fell in love with the Waterloo by Collings copy of the Kel Kroydon, and I somehow wound up with two of them, including one that has a Southwest - desert stencil art motif that is very period appropriate. Have you had a chance to play any of the Collings Waterloos yet? Their model WL-S which is a copy of an Oscar Schmidt size 0 Stella is outstanding! BTW, I also recently acquired a 1933 Kalamazoo KG-11 that has the solid (non-kerfed) linings and the 'target burst'; it's still in the process of being set-up, but sounds very similar to this beautiful L-00. @@GIBKEL

[@Jam-m7m]

Inspiring.

[@randyyount6293]

Lovely playing. Where did you learn that arrangement? It's fantastic.

[@reedj112]

Thank you! As far as the arrangement goes, I made it up! Thanks for watching!

[@willysunday]

Super! all around

[@reedj112]

Thanks!

[@stewartmilne978]

Any chance this is for sale?

[@reedj112]

It is not. It'd be like losing my right arm! 😀

[@stewartmilne978]

@@reedj112 I get it!