Gibson Acoustic Guitars: Robert Johnson L-1

by Guitar Guru
(play-acoustic-guitar.com)

”Small Bluesman's Guitar with Big Sound”

“Sleek” just about sums up the Robert Johnson L-1 Acoustic Guitar. But of course it was designed to pay tribute to the Robert Johnson, the legendary blues guitarist, which not only explains the eye-pleasing design of the L-1’s muted sunburst pattern, but also its smooth action and richly rounded tone.

Made with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid Honduran Mahogany back and sides, the L-1 has a rich resonance and a volume that is surprisingly loud for a guitar of this small size. Built on a Gibson L-00 small body, the L-1 fits comfortably against the torso and just begs to be cuddled as it’s played. The small size of this guitar makes it a favorite with performers who stand to perform, but also with smaller built and younger/beginner guitar players who do not have the reach required for a dreadnought. While this is a small-bodied guitar, the scale is 25”, so it still plays like a full-sized acoustic; it is not a 3/4 size guitar.

Designed as it is for blues style playing, the L-1 does not take well to aggressive strumming or heavy picking and tends to become too strident in tone. But when treated to smooth fingerstyle playing and gentle to mid-level strumming, the L-1 will produce a delicious tone that will have your mouth watering.

At <$2,150 the Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 Acoustic Guitar may not be a cheap acoustic guitar, but it is worth every penny to be able to own a classic, great acoustic guitar named for a legendary guitarist.


See more great guitar reviews at Gibson Acoustic Guitars.

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