Gibson L-5CES Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1969)
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Item # 9928
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Gibson L-5CES Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1969), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 810511, sunburst lacquer finish, maple body and neck; spruce top, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
One of Gibson's classiest electric guitars, the large-bodied L-5CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) was a company mainstay for many years, and a particular favorite of many jazz and classic R&B players. This example is from the end of the 1960s, made just after the 1960s sharp Florentine cutaway body reverted back to the old rounded profile used in the 1950s. Although Gibson quality is generally thought to have slipped somewhat in this time period, the top-line carved guitars suffered the least; this L-5CES still has the much of feel of a top-quality instrument from an earlier era.
This L-5CES is built on a 3 1/4" deep, 17" wide body with a fully carved spruce top over a laminate back. It is finished in a subtly shaded sunburst best describes as half way between iced tea and cherry hued. The neck is a 5-piece maple laminate with a pearl block inlaid ebony fingerboard. There is multiple binding everywhere and the headstock bears a pearl flowerpot inlay that is the longstanding L-5 hallmark. The neck is slimmer than earlier examples with the 1 5/8" nut width typical of the later 1960s, but still has a more substantial feel than some Gibsons of the period.
The hardware includes two patent number humbucking pickups with gold plated covers. The standard Gibson wiring rig is topped off with the "witch hat" amp-style knobs typical of the period. The original tailpiece has a custom ebony center insert with the name "Michael" engraved on it; this may be factory work but is more likely a period aftermarket addition. The truss rod cover is marked "Custom" but so are many other seemingly stock guitars of this era.
The L-5 CES is considered one of the seminal jazz and R&B guitars, used by many greats in the 1950s and beyond from Freddie Stone to Kenny Burrell. While this is not an exceptionally rare guitar only 170 were shipped 1969, a small fraction of the totals for many other period Gibson instruments. This is a lovely example and a supremely classy guitar, a fine player with the classic sound of this very well regarded model.
Overall length is 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm.), 16 15/16 in. (43 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar shows some very light wear and evidence of some re-working probably done long ago but overall remains a fine looking and great playing example. There are two fairly inconspicuous spliced grain cracks on the upper top above the ball of the F hole. The finish on the top shows a fine clear overspray no doubt related to this work, as would have been typical decades ago. Beyond that the lacquer has only some very minor dings and chips; this guitar has been very well cared for and apparently not too much played over 50+ years.
The bound celluloid pickguard is a superb reproduction; the original is in the case but is suffering the early stages of celluloid distress. There is some commensurate corrosion and plating loss to the pickup covers. The bridge is a Gibson unit but is of a style used more typically in the 1970's, made of ebony with pearl insets in the base. The rest of the hardware is original, showing only some light wear.
There is a strap button on the heelcap which is a correct Period Gibson piece but may have been added. The guitar was refretted with factory-style wire some time back and playability is excellent. This is a truly lovely guitar to play and to hear, with the warm, rich, yet still lively sound characteristic of these fully carved-top Gibson electrics. It resides in the original yellow-lined HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
One of Gibson's classiest electric guitars, the large-bodied L-5CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) was a company mainstay for many years, and a particular favorite of many jazz and classic R&B players. This example is from the end of the 1960s, made just after the 1960s sharp Florentine cutaway body reverted back to the old rounded profile used in the 1950s. Although Gibson quality is generally thought to have slipped somewhat in this time period, the top-line carved guitars suffered the least; this L-5CES still has the much of feel of a top-quality instrument from an earlier era.
This L-5CES is built on a 3 1/4" deep, 17" wide body with a fully carved spruce top over a laminate back. It is finished in a subtly shaded sunburst best describes as half way between iced tea and cherry hued. The neck is a 5-piece maple laminate with a pearl block inlaid ebony fingerboard. There is multiple binding everywhere and the headstock bears a pearl flowerpot inlay that is the longstanding L-5 hallmark. The neck is slimmer than earlier examples with the 1 5/8" nut width typical of the later 1960s, but still has a more substantial feel than some Gibsons of the period.
The hardware includes two patent number humbucking pickups with gold plated covers. The standard Gibson wiring rig is topped off with the "witch hat" amp-style knobs typical of the period. The original tailpiece has a custom ebony center insert with the name "Michael" engraved on it; this may be factory work but is more likely a period aftermarket addition. The truss rod cover is marked "Custom" but so are many other seemingly stock guitars of this era.
The L-5 CES is considered one of the seminal jazz and R&B guitars, used by many greats in the 1950s and beyond from Freddie Stone to Kenny Burrell. While this is not an exceptionally rare guitar only 170 were shipped 1969, a small fraction of the totals for many other period Gibson instruments. This is a lovely example and a supremely classy guitar, a fine player with the classic sound of this very well regarded model.
Overall length is 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm.), 16 15/16 in. (43 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar shows some very light wear and evidence of some re-working probably done long ago but overall remains a fine looking and great playing example. There are two fairly inconspicuous spliced grain cracks on the upper top above the ball of the F hole. The finish on the top shows a fine clear overspray no doubt related to this work, as would have been typical decades ago. Beyond that the lacquer has only some very minor dings and chips; this guitar has been very well cared for and apparently not too much played over 50+ years.
The bound celluloid pickguard is a superb reproduction; the original is in the case but is suffering the early stages of celluloid distress. There is some commensurate corrosion and plating loss to the pickup covers. The bridge is a Gibson unit but is of a style used more typically in the 1970's, made of ebony with pearl insets in the base. The rest of the hardware is original, showing only some light wear.
There is a strap button on the heelcap which is a correct Period Gibson piece but may have been added. The guitar was refretted with factory-style wire some time back and playability is excellent. This is a truly lovely guitar to play and to hear, with the warm, rich, yet still lively sound characteristic of these fully carved-top Gibson electrics. It resides in the original yellow-lined HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.