MusicRadar Verdict
Summary review: While it’s never going to compete with larger-bodied instruments including its own siblings within the range, the J-45 and Hummingbird Specials, the little L-00 has a voice of its own. Use it for what it does best and you’ll find you have a new best friend.
Pros
- +
Stunning value for a US-made Gibson
- +
Cool and vibey aesthetics
- +
Great guitar for fingerpicking and blues
Cons
- -
Not the biggest sounding acoustic
- -
Don’t choose if you want a big, bold strummer
- -
You’ll get more for less elsewhere (but without that name!)
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What is it?
Gibson introduced the L-00 model in 1931, during the Great Depression. But even then it was made using similar quality timbers to mid-priced acoustic guitars like the J-45, and high-spec models such as the stunning SJ-200 ‘super jumbo’. Being a smaller-bodied guitar than these stablemates made it ideal as a musical travelling companion, so it became a favourite of the itinerant blues and folk players of the day.
At the time it sat with similar models like the L-0, L-1 and L-2 with sometimes interchangeable specs and looks, so its history can be somewhat confusing. This time the model joins Gibson’s range of three ‘Special’ series acoustics, alongside J-45 and Hummingbird.
All guitars feature solid mahogany backs and sides, necks made of utile - a new-to-us wood, plus solid Sitka spruce tops and rosewood fingerboards.
What separates the L-00 is its petite dimensions, measuring just 370mm across its widest point compared to the larger guitars’ 406mm. It’s simply appointed, too, with plain binding front and back, pearl dot position markers on the unbound rosewood fingerboard, and a plain but elegant soundhole ring.
Costs are kept lower in part due to the non-buffed thin skin satin nitro finish, and having just two colour options available: Satin Wine Red (as here) and Satin Vintage Sunburst.
That said, the L-00 comes loaded with LR Baggs’ ever dependable Element Bronze preamp and under-saddle pickup, with handy volume control mounted within the guitar’s soundhole. Tuning is kept stable due to a set of mini Grover tuners that suit the guitar’s diminutive stature.
Specs
- Launch price: $1,999/£1,699/€1,999
- Made: USA
- Body shape: Small-bodied non-cutaway acoustic guitar
- Body top: Sitka spruce
- Top bracing: Scalloped X-bracing
- Back & sides: Solid mahogany back and sides,
- Neck/shape: Mahogany, Slim Taper
- Scale/length: 24.75 inches (628.65mm)
- Nut/width: TUSQ/43.815mm
- String spacing at bridge: 55mm
- Fingerboard/Radius: Rosewood
- Body depth: 104mm/4.1”
- Finish: Satin Vintage Sunburst, Satin Wine Red
- Bridge/pins: Rosewood bridge with TUSQ saddle and pins
- Tuning Machines: Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
- Electronics: LR Baggs Element Bronze under-saddle pickup with soundhole volume control
- Weight: 3,4lb/1.54kg
- Case: Padded Gig-bag included
- Left-handed options: No
- Contact: Gibson
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
As mentioned, construction materials consist mostly of tried and trusted guitar tonewoods, the only exception being the neck’s utile wood. It looks like a lighter coloured version of mahogany, is less weighty, but has started to become popular among guitar builders due to the more traditional timber’s increasing scarcity.
Just like the earliest L-00s, our new one is constructed using hide glue, with a compound tenon joint holding the neck in place. Hide glue can be softened using heat, so the neck is removable should it require work, such as a reset, later on.
The standard top-to-bottom quality control check reveals no obvious flaws; everything has been well made, nicely put together inside and out, with well-fitted and perfectly dressed frets. And even though the lacquer finish is not sanded or buffed, this little guitar carries itself with style and purpose.
LR Baggs’ Element Bronze preamp with under-saddle piezo pickup is one of most highly rated on the market, offering crystal clear sound through either an acoustic amp or direct to a front-of-house PA. Mini Grover tuners and a TUSQ artificial bone nut and saddle are the icing on a well thought-out cake.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
The guitar’s low action and slender neck are very forgiving so the instrument quickly feels like a musical ally.
The L-00’s diminutive body means it’s easy to pick up and lug about; it sits comfortably on the lap or under your arm on a strap, and demands only that you play it.
With 14 frets clear of the body (quite an advance back in 1931 but the norm today), there’s a lot of fretboard real estate at your fingertips, and the guitar’s slim taper neck feels smooth and drag-free.
The action straight from the padded gigbag was low and fast, and the relatively wide 43.815mm nut means that fingerpicking seems like the obvious technique to employ – also given that this little body is unlikely to respond brilliantly to strumming.
So, anything from country-folk to Delta blues or Cajun styles is well catered for here; the guitar’s low action and slender neck are very forgiving so the instrument quickly feels like a musical ally.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★
An acoustic guitar of such restricted proportions is never going to kick out the booming, well-balanced tones of a strummed Martin D-28 or Gibson J-45.
But it will respond superbly to fingerstyle, altered tunings, capos, etc. The sparse bottom end means the L-00 matches the human voice well, too, especially the high lonesome tones of the Delta bluesmen, country pioneers, or folky protest singers.
Yes, its small proportions mean it’s somewhat restricted tonally, but forget what it can’t do and concentrate on the areas where it excels.
Dig in really hard (especially with a thumbpick) and you can push a guitar like an L-00 or Martin 00-15 into a sort of growly distortion that’s fabulous for blues, drop-D playing or even open-G slide.
The point is that, while guitars like these have obvious sonic limitations – they’re not sweet or rounded or sophisticated – they possess strengths that those larger, more lofty instruments lack.
I’ve given the L-00 a 4 in this category due to its stated sonic shortcomings, but that doesn’t ignore all that it can do so well.
Verdict
Dig in really hard and you can push an L-00 into a sort of growly distortion that’s fabulous for blues, drop-D playing or even open-G slide.
The Gibson L-00 is a guitar that’s very easy to like. Harking back to those dark Depression days, it’s a basic instrument but it’s put together with all of Gibson’s knowhow and experience.
Yes, its small proportions mean it’s somewhat restricted tonally, but forget what it can’t do and concentrate on the areas where it excels, like acoustic blues, earthy country and folk, and you’ll be rewarded with an instrument that’s proper fun to play, won’t break the bank, and with its quality LR Baggs pickup is ready to take on the road.
MusicRadar verdict: While it’s never going to compete with larger-bodied instruments including its own siblings within the range, the J-45 and Hummingbird Specials, the little L-00 has a voice of its own. Use it for what it does best and you’ll find you have a new best friend.
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | From the satin-finished nitro lacquer to its proper tonewoods and honest construction, in this little package you get all of Gibson’s 130 years of experience | ★★★★½ |
Playability | Thanks to its small dimensions, slim taper neck and 14 frets clear of the body it’s an easy guitar to get around on, and real fun to play | ★★★★½ |
Sounds | Although the sound is not open and expansive the L-00 offers acoustic blues, country and folk players a ballsy voice that’s packed with old-time charm | ★★★★ |
Overall | A characterful, small-bodied acoustic that's sure to impress those looking for a vehicle for Americana-infused music. just don't expect room-filling bass response. | ★★★★½ |
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