Gibson has introduced the L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, a commemorative model celebrating the centennial of the brand’s flat-top guitars—an iconic line that began with the initial acoustic models released a century ago. This limited edition will be quite exclusive: only 100 units will be produced worldwide. Each instrument is finished in a glossy Cremona Burst, coated with nitrocellulose lacquer, and includes a certificate of authenticity along with a hard case.
The launch pays direct tribute to the first models L-0 and L-1, which helped set new standards in acoustic construction and significantly influenced the characteristic sound of Gibson over the decades. The L-1, in particular, has been played by notable artists such as Jeff Buckley, Scrapper Blackwell, Norman Blake, Hubert Sumlin, and Keith Richards. The instrument is also strongly associated with the blues musician Robert Johnson, who is featured in one of his rare confirmed photographs holding a sunburst L-1.
Vintage Construction
Handcrafted at the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, the new edition retains the classic shape of the original model, while incorporating enhancements in materials and finishing details. The instrument features solid mahogany back and sides, combined with a thermally aged red spruce top, complete with scalloped X-bracing designed to enhance projection and resonance.
The vintage aesthetic is further reflected in the cream-colored bindings adorning the body, fingerboard, headstock, and soundhole. The neck, also made of mahogany, has a scale length of 25 inches and a Historic V profile, with a total of 19 frets. The body is joined to the neck at the 12th fret. The position markers are made of mother-of-pearl dots.
Among the classic touches are the open-back tuning machines arranged in a “three-on-a-plate” configuration, featuring cream buttons, a bone nut, and the traditional “The Gibson” inlay on the headstock. The design also includes a truss rod cover engraved with “Anniversary” and a rectangular ebony bridge, featuring pyramid-shaped wings, in addition to a bone saddle and pins.
The new Gibson Custom L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition is priced at $4,999 in the international market. Listen to the sound of the launch in the video below:
