Gibson L-5 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1949), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst lacquer finish, Burled maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
This spectacular L-5 is one of the cleanest and most original-looking we have seen from any era, and a great-sounding guitar as well.
This early-post WWII guitar, one of only 29 sunburst L-5's shipped in 1949, has seen very little use and is stunningly well-preserved. It features the new-for-1949 block-lettered "joined dot" logo that had just been introduced by Gibson, replacing the pre-war style script. The tuners are gold-plated Kluson Sealfasts with translucent celluloid "keystone" buttons.
The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood, a feature seen on L-5's only from this specific time around 1948-9 when Gibson apparently suffered a shortage of ebony. The sunburst is deep, rich and unfaded and all binding is perfectly amber hued.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 17 1/16 in. (43.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.).
Nearly pristine overall; very original with only the most minor finish imperfections. The tailpiece gold plating is somewhat tarnished and the original pickguard is suffering from celluloid deterioration, but the tortoise center section can be replaced using the original binding and hardware. Appears to have been expertly refretted some time ago.
Otherwise, one of the nicest 1940's L-5's one can imagine, in an excellent early original brown case. Simply a fantastic find for the carved-top connoisseur. Excellent + Condition.
