'42-'45 Banner Gibson L-50

[vibratingstring]

Back in 2002, When I was first completely smitten with the idea of archtop guitars (having had an unrequited curiosity every since childhood, seeing whom I would later learn was Scotty Moore playing what looked like a cello-guitar), we went to a restaurant in Schoodic, Maine. A young kid, maybe 20 or so, was playing in the restaurant, sitting on a stool. He caught my ear first--with some great playing and some slide with the pinky. Then I saw he was playing what turned out to be an L50 he had..

[vibratingstring]

@vibratingstring bought from some guy's barn contents for $50. I had just recently read the Gibson history--and stumbling upon that player, playing that guitar, playing it so well, that was Divine Providence. It set me up for a future, now at hand, of being almost obsessed with archtops.

So vive la L-50!

[888CSC]

Cheers Yiannis,

Excellent Beautiful playing !

This was so very calm and relaxing I

really enjoyed it my friend !

Thumbs up and All*****stars for your

Superb Performance !!!!!

Peace Always ! Chaz

[PinkFZeppelin]

That was some amazing playing my friend!

[greekflatpicker]

@PinkFZeppelin ,

Glad you like it.Thanks!

[nathanclarkgeorge]

Wow. Very nice. Great guitar. Great playing.  Seems like great sustain from an archtop.

[greekflatpicker]

Thanks for commenting.IMHO,it's a great archtop guitar,and not pricey at all.

[anitadavideduo]

Cool guitar!!

[ScottTsai]

hey thanks for your comment on my video, i appreciate it. you are an awesome player yourself and i love the sound of this gibson! i have to get one eventually

[greekflatpicker]

Scott,

Thanks alot.In my opinion,that's the best sounding archtop i ever played,including a '61 L7-C i used to own and a prewar super 400 i've once played.Great value.You can find one for less money.Hand carved Adirondack top,maple back and sides,all the goodies are there.

[MrBlindBart]

Nice nice find Yiannis and impeccable playing as always. How do these sound with fingers? Realise they won't have same volume as with a pick but is there much volume without Did this model ever come with pick up?

[greekflatpicker]

It sounds nice with fingers and has planty of volume too,but IMHO it's even better when played with a pick.This model was a budget model for Gibson.No pickups installed on original guitars.

Thanks for your kind comments.

[cinnaraprasit]

Nice guitar and sound great,I want one....haha

[greekflatpicker]

They are cheap guitars with a great tone.Thanks!

[haselock1963]

this is a nice sounding guitar and well played

[greekflatpicker]

@haselock1963 ,

Thanks alot for commenting!

[MayfliesinApril]

Nice collection of axes you have there

[greekflatpicker]

Thank you,but not all are mine.Most of them belong to friends/collectors of mine who let me use them for my guitar channel.

[neoionunder56]

Hi Yiannis, beautiful and skillful playing. I really enjoy all your clips, thanks for sharing! I am interested in your opinion regarding two specific guitars I am deciding between. Gibson LG-2 40/ 50s vs new Martin 000-28H. I realise this is a loaded question with many factors, but appreciate any insight you could share from your experience with so many of these great guitars. I realise differences, such as scale length, woods, bracing, etc. More interested in tonal nature and use of each! Brad

[greekflatpicker]

Brad,

Thanks for your kind comments.LG-2/000-28H are different animals.You have to play them both and see which one like the most,or which one "speaks"to you the most.

I would personally go with a nice,healthy '46 LG-2.Those are awesome little guitars with a big sound.It's a great year for Gibson too,and they don't get a fortune compared with those for '42-'45 era.Great guitars for a singer or fingerpicker.

[neoionunder56]

@greekflatpicker Thanks for the heads up on which year would be a good pick. I realise those two guitars are different animals, but being in New Zealand I don't have the opportunity to play two side by side. The Martin (to me at least) is the safe choice, as in consistent build quality, and you know what you can expect from it. The LG-2's age: they all seem to have had at least some minor repairs, but they have also had decades for the woods to really open up. Appreciate it man!

[greekflatpicker]

I know what you mean,i feel the same here..no decent guitar shops are known to exist.

I would strongly suggest you joining the UMGF discussion forum.Lot's of spectacular guitars for sell there LG-2s included.Some Aussies are members there too!

Good luck,

Y.

[onewilyfool]

Great job, and great sound of that Archtop!!!

[greekflatpicker]

Thanks!

[TomEMun]

Hey Yiannis....I've been waiting for this one for a long time....It was worth the wait! The guitar sounds fantastic, and i knew you would come up with a perfect tune to play.

Just awesome playing!

[greekflatpicker]

Tom,

This video's for you.I know you've been waiting for this one some time now...glad you enjoy it.

It's a wonderful guitar.It's frets are the originals and they have been filled down to a point that the affecting the playability.That's why you hear some fret buzzing in there.

But to my knowledge,it's a very good guitar.

[michaelwattsguitar]

Muito bem file!

[greekflatpicker]

Michael,

Thanks.It's nice to read good things from a great player like you.

Efharisto,file mou.

[RVleChat]

Wow ! That thing does sound great ! And your playing is awesome, as always !

All the best

[greekflatpicker]

Thanks alot.

[tagtom55]

It's naive good sound :)

[greekflatpicker]

I think it does too.