Description: Gibson Century of Progress, L-C, L-Century flat top guitar
Available: 1933 to 1941.
Collectibility Rating: L-C models: B, H-G models: C-.
Production: (no pre-1937 production numbers) 1937:143, 1938:102, 1939:49, 1940:3, 1941:1
General Comments: Many believe this model is more "show than go", as they usually do not sound very good (too much plastic limiting the sound of the wood). But a very pretty model. One I would love to find, because they are so darn pretty.

In 1933 Chicago hosted the Century of Progress International Exhibition. This commemorated the 100 years that had elapsed since its incorporation in 1833. In the middle of the Great Depression, the 1933 to 1934 Century of Progress exhibition attracted 48 million visitors.

Gibson sought to capitalize on this event, focusing on the exhibition's emphasis on scientific progress. Gibson unveiled two instruments in 1933 that were decorated with "pearloid", a celluloid plastic which had the look of pearl. The L-Century guitar and A-Century mandolin featured pegheads and fingerboards covered with this material often called "mother-of-toilet-seat" (since it was not "mother-of-pearl", and this celluloid was often used for toilet seat covers during the 1950s). Gibson capitalized on the Worlds Fair sensationalism with a new guitar model named in its honor. The Century model L-C was remarkable for its over-use of pearloid. Often called "mother-of-toilet-seat" (many toilet seat of the time used pearloid), during the 1930s this material was considered modern and certainly grabbed a lot of attention. Gibson produced these Century instruments from 1933 to 1941.

The HG model of this instrument was set up for Hawaiian playing. This means the neck has no truss rod, the bridge saddle is straight, the frets are usually short or just celluloid lines, the neck set is very shallow (because the string height is very high), and the neck heel is wider. Yes this model can be converted to "normal" Spanish style (like an L-C), but at a fair amount of work and expense.

If you need to figure out the exact year of your Gibson Century HC guitar, use the serial number. This is located inside the body's sound hole. See the Gibson Serial Number Info web page for help determining the exact year.

Using Joe Spann's book on Gibson FON numbers, here's a list of known Gibson Century factory order numbers (not all inclusive.)

1933:
• 373 = L-Century
• 382 = L-Century
• 539 = L-Century
• 555 = L-Century
• 556 = L-Century
• 573 = L-Century
• 608 = L-Century
• 623 = L-Century
• 655 = L-Century
• 668 = L-Century
• 682 = L-Century
• 695 = L-Century
• 698 = L-Century
• 699 = L-Century
• 728 = L-Century
• 741 = L-Century
• 778 = L-Century
• 786 = L-Century
• 788 = L-Century
• 805 = L-Century
• 823 = L-Century
• 827 = L-Century
• 838 = L-Century
• 855 = L-Century
1934:
• 897 = L-Centry
• 898 = L-Centry
• 903 = L-Centry
• 935 = L-Centry
• 936 = L-Centry
• 937 = L-Centry
• 938 = L-Centry
• 939 = L-Centry
• 940 = L-Centry
• 946 = L-Centry
• 973 = L-Centry
• 1389 = L-Centry
• 1397 = L-Centry
• 1412 = L-Centry
1935:
• 213a = L-Century
• 219a = L-Century
• 293a = L-Century
1936:
• 458b = L-Century
• 492b = L-Century
• 646b = L-Century
• 723b = L-Century
• 825b = L-Century
• 889b = L-Century
1937:
• 125c = L-Century
• 258c = L-Century
• 273c = L-Century
• 398c = L-Century
• 699c = L-Century
• 1211c = L-Century
• 1258c = L-Century
• 1359c = L-Century
• 1962c = L-Century
1938:
• 6d = L-Century
• 22d = L-Century
• 78d = L-Century
• 79d = L-Century
• 709d = L-Century
• 723d = L-Century
1939:
• 201e = L-Century

If you have a vintage Gibson Century HC guitar for sale, please contact me at cfh@provide.net

1933 Gibson LC Century guitar introduction specs:

$55 list price, 14 3/4" wide, maple back and sides (usually figured maple), mahogany neck, triple bound top & back, triple bound fingerboard, white pearloid fingerboard and peghead veneer, notched diamond inlay within rosewood rectangles fingerboard markers (some with hearts and flowers or wreath pattern), 14 frets clear of the body, notched diamond peghead inlay, firestrip celluloid pickguard glued to the top, rectangle bridge, "small" sunburst finish on entire body.

1937 Gibson H-G Century guitar specs:

Hawaiian setup, straight mounted bridge saddle, 12 frets clear of the body, heavier bracing, "large" sunburst.

1938 Gibson L-C and H-G Century guitar specs:

single bound top and back, rosewood peghead veneer with pearl "gibson" logo, pearl notched diamond or elongated diamond peghead inlay, large sunburst.

1941 Gibson H-G Century guitar specs:

some with no truss rod due to war-time shortages, some with two pearl dots on the bridge.

Gibson L-C and H-G Century Models discontinued 1941.