Gibson L4A Acoustic-Electric Guitar

No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Solid Spruce top. Solid Maple back and sides.

The L-4A is a modern take on a classic design, featuring Mother-of-Pearl trapezoidal inlays and an advanced pickup/preamp system. Additional features include a jumbo cutaway style body, a glossy solid Spruce top, beautiful satin finished solid curly Maple back and sides, Rosewood fretboard and bridge, and gold hardware. A truly beautiful, well made American instrument.

In today's world, many acoustic guitar manufacturers have chosen to build their instruments more quickly, cheaply, and in greater numbers. Gibson acoustic guitars are made one-at-a-time, by hand. No shortcuts. No substitutions. They're made in Bozeman, Montana, where the climatic conditions are ideal for guitar building. Most importantly, Gibson acoustic guitars are built by master craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to building the world's finest acoustic instruments. These elements combine to create the difference that is the Gibson acoustic guitar. The difference is \\\"MasterBuilt.\\\"

Environment
Even though they might get a little more snow up there, the environs of Bozeman, Montana are a guitar builder's dream come true. Extreme heat and high humidity are natural enemies of wood. Bozeman has neither. The fine spruces, maples, mahoganies and rosewoods are carefully cured and environmentally maintained during the building process.

There are other advantages to Montana in addition to its ideal climate. Gibson's acoustic guitars rely heavily on its builder's sense of creativity and concentration. read more Living in \\\"Big Sky Country\\\" appears to nurture both of these needs. It seems that looking out over a range of snow covered mountains every morning makes for inspired guitar building - which, in turn, makes for inspired guitars.

Artistry
Experienced builders and players understand that handmade quality, design and construction determine an instrument's ability to produce truly beautiful sound. Gibson's methods of handmaking guitars have remained unchanged for nearly a century.

The top brace of each guitar is carefully scalloped and arched to focus the sound to the center of the soundhole. The resulting distinctive "Gibson Tone" shares the same vibrance and fidelity as the sound from a fine audio speaker.

Instead of a cheaper bolt-on neck, Gibson's dovetail joint technique creates a cohesive bond between the vibrating neck and body - almost as if the guitar were carved from a single piece of wood. This time-honored technique effectively transfers the strings' vibrations directly into the wood for superior tone and unsurpassed resonance.

Finally, unlike other manufacturers, Gibson still uses its famous "violin-like" lacquer finish. Over the years, the complex makeup of the lacquer merges with the wood, further sweetening the instrument's tone and providing an unmistakable "vintage" look and feel that players and collectors have come to cherish.

Each Gibson acoustic guitar is full of expression, character and exquisite beauty. None is ordinary, and no two are alike. When compared to a marketplace full of "lookalikes," the differences of a MasterBuilt Gibson acoustic are unmatched in quality and performance.

Experience
When a MasterBuilt Gibson acoustic is played, both the guitarist and the listener share in the resulting perfection. It's no accident that Gibson instruments have been the \\\"artist's choice\\\" for over one hundred years. Gibson not only understands quality - Gibson understands what it takes to achieve superior quality. This is why each Gibson acoustic guitar is still MasterBuilt in the tradition handed down by a dynasty of Gibson builders - a dynasty started in 1894 by Orville Gibson himself.
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Body Style: Jumbo Cutaway

Top wood: Solid Sitka Spruce

Back and Sides: Solid Curly Maple

FB & Bridge Wood: Rosewood

Neck Wood: Maple

Fretboard Inlay: MOP Trapezoids

Scale: 24-3/4 in.

Tuners: Gold Kidney

Finishes: Vintage Sunburst, Natural Gloss Top/Satin Back & Sides

Pickup: Fishman Prefix Plus

Strings: Gibson Hydrophobic Bronze

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (20 ratings)
Submitted March 5, 2004 by a customer from charter.net

"This guitar will become your new love!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
I played various guitars including Martins, Taylors, and Takamine over a period of two years in my search for my next guitar. I new in the first 5 minutes of sitting down with this Gibson that it was the "The One." The tone is sweet and full.
Features
For the price, Gibson is packing a lot of extra features on this guitar that you normally wouldn't find including the white binding, abalone inlays, moustache bridge, gold tuners, etc.
Quality
What a beautiful and well made instrument!
Value
You get a lot of guitar for the money.
Manufacturer Support
This is my second Gibson and I have come to the conclusion that they don't answer emails, they don't welcome you into their family, and they could generally care less about you.

Musical Style:

Christian, Rock, Country
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