Unusual mid 1920s Gibson L4 acoustic archtop guitar, made in...

Hammer

£2,000

Unusual mid 1920s Gibson L4 acoustic archtop guitar, made in USA; Body: sunburst finish carved spruce top upon brown finish maple back and sides, checking, dings and other wear, some refinishing present, binding repair beside neck heel; Neck: ebonised/refinished and possibly renecked*, binding repairs; Fretboard: rosewood with pearl block markers and fourteen frets to body; Frets: mild wear, refret; Electrics: DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickup fitted; Hardware: generally good and of period; Case: period fitted hard case; Weight: 2.27kg; Overall condition: good for age

*Formerly owned by Jack Toogood, a renowned Bristol based jazz guitarist, working with the BBC and hosting his own radio programme. He was well known on the touring circuit and was one of the go-to teachers in the Bristol area

This guitar has unusual non-standard features having fourteen frets to the neck as well as the oval sound hole, two features that are rarely seen together. Although not confirmed, it has been surmised in the past by experts such as George Gruhn that these were either renecked to allow the player better range, or were custom ordered from the factory.

Interestingly, Jack Toogood had lessons from Horace Craddy. A photograph of Craddy that first appeared in a British music magazine in June 1946 shows him holding a guitar with these exact features. It is possible that this could be the same guitar