I was actually looking for a J-185 cutaway, but they were just a bit pricy. I found the L-4A has everything I need, with a little less eye candy at a much better price.

As far as features go, I was disappointed in the pickup system. Mine has a Fishman Classic 4. In fact, every L-4A I've seen does. I don't know why the Prefix Plus is pictured. Regardless, I find this low-end Fishman system muddy. To get any kind of detail requires much knob-twiddling, and results in a tinny sound anyway. I'd much prefer an L.R. Baggs system. The tuning machine are your standard Grover Rotomatics. Seems they're on half the guitars I own. They may not be glamorous, but they're solid and dependable.

Acoustically, the L-4A has a lot of character. The Rosewood back and sides makes the tone a bit thick and undefined for my tastes, but a bone saddle and bridge pins went a long way to balance that out. With these upgraded pieces, the tone is quite rich; somewhere between a nice J-45 and a J-200.

As far as playability, this guitar is unmatched. The smaller upper bout matched with the 16" lower bout is perfect. My gigs usually entail 3-4 hours of playing, and the L-4A remains comfortable the entire time. The fingerboard is perfect and the shorter scale is great for long sessions. My only gripe is the neck tends to get sticky, no matter how much I polish it.

The finish is typical gorgeous Gibson. Mine is Sunburst and is simply a work of art. Gibson may have their consistency issues from time to time, but they know how to do a burst! The Rosewood back is wonderful to look at. After a while, however, the pickguard has begun to lift up. Not a huge deal, but also not something that should be happening.

I own a lot of acoustics. Without a doubt and by far, I enjoy picking up the L-4A and playing it above all. I'd highly recommend this guitar for anyone who wants a real "player," rather than a museum piece. You're not paying for unnecessary accoutrements, and you get a great-sounding guitar. Just be prepared to switch out at least Gibson's lousy plastic bridge pins, and possibly even the saddle. (Note to Gibson: In this price range, your customers deserve decent bridge pins. Your standard plastic ones are garbage.)

I bought the L-4A from a guy who never took this guitar out of the house! He said it was too beautiful a guitar and didn't want to ding it. It's a Gretch orange with Les Paul trapazoid MOP inlays. When I first tried the guitar (it had never been set up), I was not happy with the action. the strings were probably 2-3 years old. I didn't play it too much because of the strings, but even with the old strings, this axe sounded awesome! The seller met me at my luthiers shop. He told me he could get the guitar set up the way I wanted it so I gave the seller his cash and sent him on his way. My guy had this thing set up sweet in about 30 minutes. I'm very happy with it. Acoustically, it's EQ'd perfectly. Very happy with the Fishman Prefix Plus. I have 2 other electric acoutics, one with a Fisman Prefix Pro and the other with an LR Baggs. The LR Baggs pickup is the sweeter sounding of the 3, but thePrefix plus on the L-4A has the most gain and the most adjustability. The L-4A is my #1 acoustic that I play and will be for some time!

Went in to purchase a used Taylor that retailed the same as the Gibson L-4A. Saw the Gibson. Played the Gibson. Bought the Gibson! The tobacco sunburst is incredible looking. The tone, balance and clarity all the way up the neck is flawless. Wow, what bass! All notes come out at the same volume with individual clarity. I think I will get another for my alternate tunings. Kirt

I am a Gibson fan and own three of their instruments. Tone quality, workmanship, projection, and playability are excellent on this L-41 sunburst. Unfortunately the electronic pick-up as originally advertized on the guitar is not the Fishman Prefix pick up as shown in the product picture (and which was origingally listed in the product detail). I am not sure why the "classic four" pick up was substituted, other than I suspect this guitar, as a discontinued model, was relegated to receive the lower grade classic four which is not even listed on the Fishman web site. While the electronic pick up is disappointing on such a fine instrument, I still rate it as above average overall, as its other features are outstanding.

I bought this guitar about three months ago and can't put it down. IT has incredible playability and a really even sound with great resonance and a really full low end. The entire guitar feels so solid and looks amazing on stage or in the case or wherever. I got the sunburst and put the pickguard on afterward and it looks beautiful, sort of ornate in the Gisbon fashion but modern simultaneously. Plugged in it is pretty great. One of the most natural electric sounds I have heard from an acoustic guitar. It is awesome.