NMM 5992.  Guitar by Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, Kalamazoo, 1907. Style L-1, Concert Size (13-1/2").  Serial number 7190.  First Dakota National Bank Fund, Yankton, South Dakota, 1996. Orville Gibson’s invention of distinctive-looking arch-top guitars in the 1890s resulted in revolutionary changes for the instrument in the 20th century. Made early in the history of the Gibson Company, this Concert-Size L-1 was one of their less expensive products. Gibson was one of the first companies to advocate the use of steel strings on their guitars, whose arched tops could withstand the higher tension strings without bracing. Gibson’s arch-tops would become extremely influential in the 1920s and '30s, when they were imitated by fine makers, such as John D’Angelico, resulting in the establishment of the arch-top guitar as a staple of American guitar making. Gibson's Label, Seen Through Soundhole Literature:  André P. Larson, "Recent Acquisitions," America’s Shrine to Music Newsletter, Vol. 24, No. 2 (January 1997), p. 6. This guitar is currently on loan to the Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad, California Return to Gibson Acoustic Guitar Checklist National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2005 Most recent update: October 23, 2007 You are the 4,507th visitor to this page since April 15, 2005 The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page