Gibson LGO Acoustic

Quite plain. Solidly built with a thin neck. So solid, almost no sound escapes.

Back when I got this guitar Gibson was doing good work so no problem there.

I had an LGO years ago when I wanted a Guild but couldn't afford one. I must tell you, as someone who has played since 1966, the LGO was bar none, the worst sounding accoustic guitar I've ever played. I traded in an $80 Goya and found myself regretting it. I'm not a luthier but I think the utter deadness was caused by the mahogony top, instead of using spruce. Of course, Gibson is the king of the "no frills" manufacturers (meaning unless you spend a lot you're gonna get a very plain instrument) but using a mahogony top was one corner that should never have been cut.

I have had it for about 15 years. My father purchased at a flea market for $20. My lutherer told me it was a Kalamazoo model. I am not a great guitar player, I am a drummer by trade. I write a lot of music and I add accoustic guitar to my demo tracks in my home Protools studio. This guitar is great to just pick up and work out melodies and ideas.

Since I use it mostly to strum out basic ideas...it is perfect. Nice full warm mahogany sound. Really nice on single note sounds. I do use it to record sometimes...I mostly use my Taylor 410 for my tracks.

Nice...easy to play. The neck width is great since I don't have the best finger agility.

This thing is bullet proof.

1959 model, purchased used in 1980. American made (Kalamazoo? Chattanooga?). All solid mahogany--top, back, sides (one-pc. back as far as I can tell). No fancy trim exc.for tortoise top binding. Tortie pickup (orig. screws). Had stabilized top crack, so I felt no compunctions abt. replacing the bent, creaky Klusons with Gotohs. RW fingerboard, mahog. bridge (stained ebony, finally cracked at pinholes--currently being replaced w/RW). Built like a rowboat, Not a satin finish but none too glossy either (it was someone's beach/picnic guitar before it was mine). Was my very first solid-wood, American guitar. Came w/ flimsy alligator-grain chipboard case--now lives in a 3-ply Geib-style archtop. No electronics. (but takes nicely to a soundhole pickup. Plain-jane......let's call it the Stealth Guitar.

Everything I expect from a mahogany fingerpicking guitar--but it also sings on single-string blues lead work. Mellow, round, sweet. Not loud (my Larrivee {Parlor with its spruce top is louder) but nice. Just sold my Martin 000-16GTCE because my LGO is what I really want from mahogany. When I need to amplify it, I use an old cheapo Dean Markley Pro-Mag removable soundhole pickup--it actually matches it. Gives a fat, warm tone. Strung with GHS Vintage Bronze in Lt. gauge (anything thinner is too wussy and won't drive the top). Can take mediums with its ladder-bracing but why bother? Anything its sound lacks I get from my other guitars anyway--and I can take it anywhere.

Have no idea how it was set up at the factory--I got it years and at least 2 owners later, Finish is fairly primitive, but at that price who cares? May have originally had that cheapie screw-on plastic bridge, but was replaced by the time I found it. Shafts on several of the Klusons were bent and the gears had gotten goopy--so I replaced them with Gotohs (what'd I know?). Action like buttah,

Built like a tank crossed with a rowboat. Gigged with it many times--both as a soloist and with a blues band. Replacing the bridge as we speak and regluing one brace, but no other problems. I don't gig with it anymore (have better guitars) but never needed a backup when I did. Can take it to parties, etc. w/a clear conscience.

Gee, never dealt with Gibson (ex . to visit their Opry Mills store and play tourist). Warranty? Hahahahahaha.

Playing since 1966, pro since 1980. Also have Martin M 36 and D12-20; Taylor 814CE-LTD and 422R; Larrivee Parlor; Simon & Patrick Pro Rosewood Dreadnought; Fender P-Bass & Peavey Fretless; coupla autoharps; 3 McSpadden, 1 BlackMt., 1 Eloree solidbody, and 2 Blue Lion Mt. dulcimers; asstd. amps, pedals, PA, mics. If stolen or lost, would mourn but not replace it. Love its tone and playability, hate that it gets no respect and looks like dreck. Chose it back when all I had was a very pretty but soulless plywood maple Hoyer dreadnought. Probably wouldn't even notice it in a shop if I didn't already own it.

The tuners are cheap but they work and the plastic pickguard is kind of chinsey, it's not a whole lot to look at, but it sure gets the job done. Looks aside, it just has a great feel to it, it's made to be played.

Beautiful tone and resonance perfect for both rhtyhm and lead. Martin SP strings sound really really phenomenal on it. This guitar is a great blues guitar and it rocks for just banging out chords.

Perfectly manufactured by Gibson without a flaw on it. Action that screams out, "noodle on me."

This guitar has withstood live playing a lot, it's just really difficult to mike this guitar and make it sound as good as it does coming out of it. All of the shows that my band has played acoustic, it's the only guitar I bring.

I called Gibson and they ran the serial number and told me all of the specifics about it but other than that I've had no contact.

My 64 LGO I fell in love with the first time I played it, if it was lost or stolen I'd have to track her down because not every LGO sounds the same. IT's a really great sitting around and playing guitar because of it's smaller body and man can it take a beating. Beautiful tone, great playability, pawn shop price. One of the best acoustics I've ever played.

I own a 1959 LG-O, solid mahag, black pick gaurd.

It sings. It holds a note and smooths out the edges.

It handles like like a sports car- resonsive, quick, and agile.

Mine is old. I found it for $50 dollars ina junk shop and have spent several years restoring it. It has been played alot, and the wood is worn down under the strings. I bought it to run around Europe with, and have travelled with it all over the world with good results.

n-a

I own Martins, and Yamahas. The L-GO is just a lovely guitar, which has survived time well. It has not buckled like one of my old Martins did. Of course the sound is not like a 1930's Martin, but what else is?

I have a 1959 LGO. Unlike the sixties models, it has a wood bridge. Top (solid) has ladder-style bracing but still has not buckled after all these years. Tunners are still very smooth and steady open gear type with cream nobs. Nice fat frets. If you like flashy guitars, the LGO is not for you. It is all mahogany construction and has a minimum of ornamentation. Only the top is bound and the rosette is a single black stripe. It has a screwed-on plastic pickguard. The neck has an adjustable truss rod.

I play fingerstyle blues and for this the LGO is wonderful. It has great note separation and a slightly percussive quality to the sound. It also works well for slide. However, if not miked carefully, the bottom end can be thumpy and it lacks volume. It is not too effective for strumming chords as the notes don't ring like a larger guitar. But for me personally the sound that comes out of my LGO is the sound my soul would make if it had strings so I am going to give it a 10.

I believe the setup on my guitar is the original factory setup. It does not look like the nut or saddle have been tampered with. The strings could probably stand to be a tad lower but considering the age of the guitar the action is very good. The neck is perfectly straight and very comfortable. It is obvious, though, that this was one of Gibson's lower models but still all joints are tight. No rust on tuners.

Obviously this guitar is very durable. It has withstood 42 years with just a couple dings and scratches. It still has plenty of life in it too. I play gigs with it and I bring no backup. However, I worry that the ladder-braced top will eventually warp from string tension.

I've been playing for many years and have owned many guitars (old and new) and this is the best one so far. It is definately not for everybody. Naturally a guitar that is perfect for one person might sound terrible to another. But if you see one in a store give it a play.

Made in 1964 of solid mahogany. The LGO is very solid and made of quality wood. Small body, 20 Frets. Rosewood fretboard, tortoise
pickguard, top binding, black peghead, laquer finish. The original plastic bridge has been replaced with a wood bridge. This was by design on my part. I realize alot of collectors would consider this
a mistake but i bought it to play it and I wanted the LGO to sound as good as it can, I mean it's a Gibson and probably not considered the most collectible Gibson, but it's in excellent plus condition and deserved the bridge conversion.

I am sure the bridge conversation has made a difference in the sound,
which is very, very good for a small bodied mahogany guitar. I have found both the highs and lows to be surprisingly good with either the pick or fingers. I could not say exactly the difference in the sound because i have never heard this model Gibson with the original plastic bridge. For this quality of guitar i am more than pleased with the sound.

This LGO is in excellent condition, the finish is very, very good,
no cracks. The fretboard almost looks news, no wear noticible to the frets and fretboard. The LGO seems to be very solidly built. I am not Eric Clapton on guitar and the action on this guitar is outstanding.
I can't imagine finding one of this vintage easier to play. The action is very low, would be great for a beginner.

The construction of this LGO and the condition would allow for live playing. I am not sure up against other spruce topped guitars you would get enough sound to be heard. There's no question the all mahogany guitars in my experience are just not nearly as loud. It's a more mellow sound. I would certainly think this guitar would last another 40 years if taken care of.

I own a 000-18 Martin guitar and it was my intention to add an older and a bit smaller guitar to have to carry around with me more easily. I wasn't looking for either a high end Martin or Gibson because any guitar you take places is going to take some abuse I don't care how careful you are. For the $400-$500 you would have to spend now to buy this guitar I am not sure you could find a better value for the money in a vintage guitar. It looks great, plays great, and sounds great.
I was very pleased to have made this purchase and I am not sure if i won't in the long run like it just as well as my Martin.

1964 LGO model. It is solid mahogany, and the wood is of good quality. Small body, 20 frets, rosewood fretboard, tortoise pickguard and top binding, mother of pearl dot position markers and a black peghead with silkscreen gibson logo. Has a nitrocellulose laquer finish, period Kluson nickel/with plastic button tuners, and is in excellent condition. Hm, also has an ebonized plastic bridge..which I hate but could be replaced with a wood one fairly easily. Thats how they kept costs down a bit on this model I suppose.

I play mostly rock and blues so it suits me well. Has a mellow even sound when strummed and nice highs. Only complaint thus far is that the bass response is a bit weak but the guitar appears to have been unplayed for a while and is opening up more each day I play it. Has a nice neck, I previously owned a US made Epi Caballero which is the comparable model but that had a much thinner neck. The action is perfect and very low; almost has a 'soft' touch to it like playing an electric. I believe the short scale contributes to the action.

Guitar setup was great, I purchased it from Gruhn Guitars though so this is inevitable I suppose. Finish is in great shape for a vintage guitar, a few scuffs and dings but hardly any laquer checking and almost new looking in spots. guitar is solidly built and has no visible problems (cracks etc.) appears it was well cared for and time has not hurt it too much. even the fingerboard is free of indents and discoloration....almost new looking. frets are large and in great shape.

This guitar is old but still very sturdy. I beleive it would survive live playing but would need to be well cared for of course. Has vintage Kluson tuners that have held up well, I doubt Ill ever need to replace them. Finish has stood 38 yrs. and still looks great...minor checking on the neck but no problems.

Never dealt with gibson.

Despite what others have said I love these guitars. I also like LG 1's. Im not a fan of the bigger fancier gibsons out there. This guitar would benefit from a spruce top and some x bracing vs. the ladder bracing it has but other than that its a nice little guitar. And someone else mentioned that you can get a vintage gibson for a reasonable price; its true, this guitar sounds great and has that vintage feel. Id like to replace the bridge as I hear that the wood bridge conversion really opens these little guys up a lot. Other than that no complaints. Its probably not suitable for playing with a lot of other instruments because of its small body size but if you want a nice little acoustic for writing, or just playing by yourself or with a friend its perfect. If it were stolen Id likely replace it with another. I owned a '69 Kalamazoo made Epiphone Caballero before this and it was warping in the neck so thats why I picked up the LGO, same guitar but it happened to be in better shape.

1964 American Made, 20 Frets, Solid Top Beautiful Guitar. I purchased it used a few years ago from The Pickers Exchange in Chattanooga, TN. The guitar has had the bridge replaced. Everything else is orginal.

I play mostly rock and blues with some folk type stuff from time to time. The guitar is a bit quiter than my Tacoma. But it plays very easy and has a wonderful sound with either a pick or the fingers.

The action on this guitar is perfect, it plays very easy. No flaws that others here have mentioned. The only thing is that the bridge apparently broke off the thing at sometime. It's been replaced by another bridge. Nut and tuning keys are orginal and work fine. Solid construction, typical of Gibson's from that time period.

Having been built in 1964 and still standing the test of time. I imagine that this guitar could last a lifetime. I've never played this guitar on a gig. I've mostly used for practice or playing alone. Because of its small size it the perfect guitar to take with you wherever you may be going.

I own a Gibson Les Paul and a Danelectro U2 electrics. My acoustics are a Tacoma DR-20, A Gibson LGO and a Silvertone archtop. Marshall,Fender and Peavey amps. I love the small size and the ease of playability that this guitar has. If it were stolen I'd love to find another one. It's only a matter of time before the collectors begin to gobble these up and the price gets driven way high. These guitars are neat because they offer you an opportunity to have a "vintage" guitar without paying the "vintage" prices.

Made in 1964 in USA of solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Small bodies guitar, very plain, standard Gibson short scale. Sold as a student guitar. Cheap tuning pegs, nut, and bridge.

Weak, dark sound resulting from the small body and presumably, the relatively thick mahogany top. Dull sound when flatpicked, OK with fingerstyle, but this guitar is overwhelmed when joined by virtually any other acoustic guitar with a spruce top. Action is poor for a short scale guitar.

Typical Gibson quality, the guitar appears well made, action somewhat slow, frets clean, joints tight, cheap hardware.

Not suitable for live performances, not only because of poor sound, but because of material failures. As time went on, my LGO developed a fracture in the neck where the neck joined the body. This caused an unacceptable bow in the neck rendereing the guitar almost unplayable. Several repairmen said it wasn't worth fixing.

The failures occurred long after the warranty had expired. Never contacted Gibson.

I have been playing for 34 years, and play a Les Paul, Strat, and Larrivee acoustic in a classic rock/blues band. I was looking for a good sounding, inexpensive beater. I was swayed by the Gibson name and vintage and didn't really sit down in a quiet room with the guitar until too late. If it was stolen/lost, I would replace it with a cheapo Yamaha (which I did when it became unplayable--the Yahama is a far superior guitar). Amazingly, someone bought the LG-O, as is, for $75, with the intention of restoring it. This is a perfect example of "buyer beware." While most Gibsons are works of art, they made some dogs. Don't let the name and vintage sway your better judgement.