c.1947 Gibson LG-2H, Sunburst

The Gibson LG-2 is one of those models that seems to hit a particular sweet spot in the vintage acoustic world, combining Gibson’s warm, woody, small-body voice with a dry, responsive character and X-bracing for harmonic richness.

Being an LG-2H this example is the Hawaiian equivalent, and would have left the factory with a square neck. As part of it's original spec, it features a 12-fret neck join with the bridge positioned further down the body compared to a typical LG-2. This shift has a noticeable impact on the way the guitar responds, placing the soundhole closer to the centre of the string’s vibration. The result is a slightly different tonal character, with increased volume, rich overtones and a lively, open response that really helps it project. This is aided by the heavier X-bracing and reinforced Maple bridge plate of the Hawaiian model for a more robust setup compared to the standard model.

As part of the conversion the neck has been shaved and re-profiled. It has a wide nut of 47mm perfect for players liking wide string spacing. It has a fairly big V profile neck, frets have been added and retain plenty of height, and the nut has been changed as part of the conversion process. While this clearly moves it away from collector-grade originality, it gives the instrument a second life, perfect for a player looking for old wood, vintage Gibson tone and something with a slightly different spec from the regular model line-up of the period. 

There is a replacement bridge fitted, and the guitar shows a couple of top cracks: one to the bass side of the bridge near the low E string, and another to the treble side by the pickguard, consistent with age-related shrinkage. Tuners are later double-line Kluson three-a-side. 

For someone after an unusual ’40s Gibson flat-top with a bit of history and a lot of personality, this 40s LG-2H conversion makes a great deal of sense! Comes with a non-original soft shell case.