~1922 Gibson Style O Artist Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar

Offered for sale:

Vintage c1922 Gibson Style O Artist Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar serial number 70272.

This instrument is in good to very good condition. The neck angle and frets are good. Cosmetically this guitar is abounding in patina. There is finish wear-through, marks, nicks and normal playing wear.

There was a top crack and a back separation that were professionally repaired many years ago.

The binding on the cutaway point was lifted at some point in time and then glued down. It looks a bit high toward the back, but it is intact.

The truss rod cover is non-original, but it still has its original pickguard.

This is a 102-year-old instrument that obviously has been loved and played and enjoyed a great deal.

The Gibson Style O Artist Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar was made in Kalamazoo, Michigan when the Gibson company was only 26 years old. It features a red sunburst varnish finish, birch back and sides, spruce top and a mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard.

This instrument is from one of the last batches of Style O Artist Model guitars. These were one of the company's most visually exciting creations, an unmistakable design intended to harmonize with the company's mandolin orchestra instruments, this guitar has not only an elegantly scrolled upper bout but a swooping cutaway on the treble side. The cutaway allows more access to the fingerboard than any other guitar of the period.

The Style O "Special Grand Concert Artist Model" was introduced in 1908 as Gibson's new version of their top of the line 6-string guitar. It was last cataloged in 1922, a year or so before this one was produced. At this time, Lloyd Loar had just helped design its replacement as Gibson's top-line 6 string the L-5. The Style O may have been perceived as a relic of earlier times compared to the sleeker L-4 and the revolutionary F-hole L-5, however these final ones still received a number of Gibson's new feature upgrades.

Many of the latest Gibson features for 1923 would soon characterize the L-5. The finish is not as red-tinged as earlier examples, the ebony bridge is adjustable, a new all-metal "string over tailpiece" replaced the pinned earlier ones and most importantly the then-new adjustable truss rod are all present. Only the very last Style Os are so equipped.

Classic appointments of the model include the elegantly scrolled cutaway body, single bound in heavy ivoroid top and back, chunky V-profile neck and bound headstock with a pearl Fleur-De-Lys and "The Gibson" script inlay. The oval soundhole has an elaborate multi-part rosette, partially covered by the elevated pickguard. The ebony fingerboard is bound with pearl dot inlay, with a small 2-fret extension on the treble end and a genuine pearl nut.

The Style O was one of Gibson art Nouveau masterpieces, however 1923 was a time of major changes at Gibson, with Loar's Style 5 Master Models beginning production. This Style O is an older feeling design but absolutely great-sounding instrument with a thinner carved top imparting a rounder tone and more responsive feel than earlier examples.

Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).

Original hard-shell case included.

“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

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