Gibson L-5 Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1949)
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Gibson L-5 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1949), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-3163, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This beautiful and well preserved early postwar carved-top Gibson is one of only 29 sunburst L-5s shipped in 1949; it would have left Kalamazoo in May of that year. This guitar shows signs of light use but overall remains superbly original and nicely preserved now over 75 years on. The multi-bound headstock face still features the old 1930's script logo that had recently been discontinued by Gibson, replaced by the then-new, now-familiar block logo. This is likely one of the very last old stock pre-WWII headstock veneers getting used up!
The multi-bound, pearl-block inlaid fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood instead of ebony; apparently around 1948-9 Gibson suffered a shortage of that wood so this is not uncommon at this point. The multi-bound top and maple back and sides feature a beautiful shaded sunburst finish that has aged nicely over the binding to a lovely amber hue. The tuners are gold-plated Kluson Sealfasts with translucent celluloid "keystone" buttons, a feature in place since 1940.
In this period the L-5 was placed second to the 18" Super 400 in Gibson's line, but many players preferred the easier to handle 17" body and it was always considered a top professional choice. The top on this example is carved somewhat thinner than many period L-5's making for a lively sound with plenty of power and projection. This is a truly splendid example of a late swing-era L-5, an excellent playing and sounding guitar and as classy as it gets. It is housed in the original 17" pre-war style "red line" case with a green felt lining.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar remains in fine playing condition with a couple of minor repairs but no alteration. The original pickguard deteriorated long ago (the stain can be seen on the interior of the case lid) but an excellent correct reproduction has been fitted. The laminated seam on the back of the neck has been resealed; it must have opened up slightly between the first and fifth frets and has been repaired with no overfinish so this can still be felt, though it is not overly conspicuous.
This first-position area of the back of the neck has also some wear spots down to the wood; this must be where a previous owner mostly played. The bass side area of the fingerboard extension under the binding has been painted over black; we would guess perhaps the "vampire holes" from an old DeArmond pickup installation were patched in. This is the only heavy finish wear or repair, though there are small dings and dents scattered over the guitar. The top has a few deeper dings, but overall the original finish still shines like it did "back in the day". Really this is a pretty clean guitar for being over 75 years old!
The gold plating has tarnished in some places, most noticeably on the tailpiece. The original thin frets show some light wear but the guitar simply does not appear all that much played. This stately L-5 has a big, incisive sound but retains plenty of warmth underneath -- a true swing-era classic. The original case is somewhat worn but still fully serviceable with a repaired handle. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This beautiful and well preserved early postwar carved-top Gibson is one of only 29 sunburst L-5s shipped in 1949; it would have left Kalamazoo in May of that year. This guitar shows signs of light use but overall remains superbly original and nicely preserved now over 75 years on. The multi-bound headstock face still features the old 1930's script logo that had recently been discontinued by Gibson, replaced by the then-new, now-familiar block logo. This is likely one of the very last old stock pre-WWII headstock veneers getting used up!
The multi-bound, pearl-block inlaid fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood instead of ebony; apparently around 1948-9 Gibson suffered a shortage of that wood so this is not uncommon at this point. The multi-bound top and maple back and sides feature a beautiful shaded sunburst finish that has aged nicely over the binding to a lovely amber hue. The tuners are gold-plated Kluson Sealfasts with translucent celluloid "keystone" buttons, a feature in place since 1940.
In this period the L-5 was placed second to the 18" Super 400 in Gibson's line, but many players preferred the easier to handle 17" body and it was always considered a top professional choice. The top on this example is carved somewhat thinner than many period L-5's making for a lively sound with plenty of power and projection. This is a truly splendid example of a late swing-era L-5, an excellent playing and sounding guitar and as classy as it gets. It is housed in the original 17" pre-war style "red line" case with a green felt lining.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar remains in fine playing condition with a couple of minor repairs but no alteration. The original pickguard deteriorated long ago (the stain can be seen on the interior of the case lid) but an excellent correct reproduction has been fitted. The laminated seam on the back of the neck has been resealed; it must have opened up slightly between the first and fifth frets and has been repaired with no overfinish so this can still be felt, though it is not overly conspicuous.
This first-position area of the back of the neck has also some wear spots down to the wood; this must be where a previous owner mostly played. The bass side area of the fingerboard extension under the binding has been painted over black; we would guess perhaps the "vampire holes" from an old DeArmond pickup installation were patched in. This is the only heavy finish wear or repair, though there are small dings and dents scattered over the guitar. The top has a few deeper dings, but overall the original finish still shines like it did "back in the day". Really this is a pretty clean guitar for being over 75 years old!
The gold plating has tarnished in some places, most noticeably on the tailpiece. The original thin frets show some light wear but the guitar simply does not appear all that much played. This stately L-5 has a big, incisive sound but retains plenty of warmth underneath -- a true swing-era classic. The original case is somewhat worn but still fully serviceable with a repaired handle. Overall Excellent - Condition.