Gibson L-5 With DeArmond Rhythm Chief Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1945)
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Gibson L-5 With DeArmond Rhythm Chief Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1945), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 98377, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This beautiful carved-top Gibson has seen some history along the way; based on the serial number it is one of the VERY few L-5s shipped out in 1945. As Gibson had spent the last few years largely engaged in war work this model was officially not available from 1942-45 but a small number were finished out and shipped, probably to preferred dealers and professional clients. It is likely this guitar left Kalamazoo several years after being begun; the faded Factory Order Number under the treble side f-hole reads either 257G-9 or 2576-9, which in either case suggests construction of the instrument was initiated in 1941.
This guitar shows signs of long use and some hardware alterations but remains a superb player's instrument now 80 years along. The laminated maple neck has a fairly chunky round-backed feel; the multi-bound, pearl-block inlaid fingerboard is very dark ebony. The multi-bound headstock face features the late 1930's heavy script pearl logo that would be replaced by the now-familiar block style in 1947. The gold-plated tuners are the correct Kluson Sealfast machines, but date to the late '60s or early '70s. The "Custom' engraved truss rod cover is from this period as well, as is the hardshell case; it is possible the guitar was partially re-worked at Gibson around that time.
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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 back in particular has some beautiful burl figure to the maple. The tailpiece is original, the rosewood bridge is not Gibson spec although it looks decades old. The multi-bound tortoise celluloid pickguard is a correct style repro and a DeArmond Rhythm chief pickup is fitted, though the guard looks to perhaps once have been on a different guitar as the fit with this unit is not exact. The pickup itself is later 1950s or 60s vintage and the entire original control package is mounted to the underside of the pickguard, wired to an endpin jack that connects via a mini-plug through the treble side F-hole. The entire assembly can thus be easily removed for acoustic playing if desired.
In this Swing-era period the L-5 was 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. This example has a particularly a lively and powerful sound with plenty of depth and projection. This is a really interesting late swing-era L-5, an excellent playing and sounding guitar in both acoustic and electric modes and as classy as it gets. It is housed in an early '70s purple-lined black Tolex case.
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 very rare wartime guitar remains in fine playing condition, while not wholly original it has been well maintained and is optimized for professional use. The finish appears all original and quite clean overall with small dings, scratches and dents mostly to the top; overall the original finish still shines like it did "back in the day". There are some noticeable pick(?) marks on the treble edge of the top, while the back of the neck has a few feelable small dings and chips. Really this is still a pretty clean guitar for being just over 80 years old!
As noted above the hardware is a mixed bag, with the tailpiece being the most original piece complete with the old "Top buster adjustor" still intact underneath. It shows typical plating wear the was slightly drilled out for an endpin jack. The correct style reproduction pickguard and DeArmond pickup may have at one point been on a different instrument (or instruments) as the cutout does not line up with the pickup exactly. The DeArmond mounting bracket is attached to the bass side area of the fingerboard extension under the binding with a couple "vampire holes" under it.
The very fine grade ebony fingerboard has been trued and refretted with slightly larger wire than original spec, and these are crowned down fairly flat but still play well. This stately L-5 has a big, incisive sound as a purely acoustic instrument but retains plenty of warmth underneath -- a true swing-era classic. With the DeArmond engaged it is capable of a wide range of electric sounds from a jazzy purr to flat-out raunch if the amplifier is pushed hard. The 1970s case is somewhat worn but still fully serviceable with a replaced handle. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This beautiful carved-top Gibson has seen some history along the way; based on the serial number it is one of the VERY few L-5s shipped out in 1945. As Gibson had spent the last few years largely engaged in war work this model was officially not available from 1942-45 but a small number were finished out and shipped, probably to preferred dealers and professional clients. It is likely this guitar left Kalamazoo several years after being begun; the faded Factory Order Number under the treble side f-hole reads either 257G-9 or 2576-9, which in either case suggests construction of the instrument was initiated in 1941.
This guitar shows signs of long use and some hardware alterations but remains a superb player's instrument now 80 years along. The laminated maple neck has a fairly chunky round-backed feel; the multi-bound, pearl-block inlaid fingerboard is very dark ebony. The multi-bound headstock face features the late 1930's heavy script pearl logo that would be replaced by the now-familiar block style in 1947. The gold-plated tuners are the correct Kluson Sealfast machines, but date to the late '60s or early '70s. The "Custom' engraved truss rod cover is from this period as well, as is the hardshell case; it is possible the guitar was partially re-worked at Gibson around that time.
.
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 back in particular has some beautiful burl figure to the maple. The tailpiece is original, the rosewood bridge is not Gibson spec although it looks decades old. The multi-bound tortoise celluloid pickguard is a correct style repro and a DeArmond Rhythm chief pickup is fitted, though the guard looks to perhaps once have been on a different guitar as the fit with this unit is not exact. The pickup itself is later 1950s or 60s vintage and the entire original control package is mounted to the underside of the pickguard, wired to an endpin jack that connects via a mini-plug through the treble side F-hole. The entire assembly can thus be easily removed for acoustic playing if desired.
In this Swing-era period the L-5 was 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. This example has a particularly a lively and powerful sound with plenty of depth and projection. This is a really interesting late swing-era L-5, an excellent playing and sounding guitar in both acoustic and electric modes and as classy as it gets. It is housed in an early '70s purple-lined black Tolex case.
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 very rare wartime guitar remains in fine playing condition, while not wholly original it has been well maintained and is optimized for professional use. The finish appears all original and quite clean overall with small dings, scratches and dents mostly to the top; overall the original finish still shines like it did "back in the day". There are some noticeable pick(?) marks on the treble edge of the top, while the back of the neck has a few feelable small dings and chips. Really this is still a pretty clean guitar for being just over 80 years old!
As noted above the hardware is a mixed bag, with the tailpiece being the most original piece complete with the old "Top buster adjustor" still intact underneath. It shows typical plating wear the was slightly drilled out for an endpin jack. The correct style reproduction pickguard and DeArmond pickup may have at one point been on a different instrument (or instruments) as the cutout does not line up with the pickup exactly. The DeArmond mounting bracket is attached to the bass side area of the fingerboard extension under the binding with a couple "vampire holes" under it.
The very fine grade ebony fingerboard has been trued and refretted with slightly larger wire than original spec, and these are crowned down fairly flat but still play well. This stately L-5 has a big, incisive sound as a purely acoustic instrument but retains plenty of warmth underneath -- a true swing-era classic. With the DeArmond engaged it is capable of a wide range of electric sounds from a jazzy purr to flat-out raunch if the amplifier is pushed hard. The 1970s case is somewhat worn but still fully serviceable with a replaced handle. Overall Very Good + Condition.