Gibson L-5CES Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1969), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 534498, sunburst lacquer finish, maple body and neck; spruce top, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
One of Gibson's all-time classiest electric guitars, the full-bodied L-5CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) has been a company mainstay since 1951 and a particular favorite of many jazz and classic R&B players. This example is from the very end of the 1960s, made just after the 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, still largely hand built by Gibson's most experienced veterans. This L-5CES still has the feel of a top-quality instrument from an earlier era.
The L-5CES is built on a 3 1/4" deep, 17" wide body with a fully carved spruce top over a laminate maple back. It is finished in a subtly shaded reddish/amber sunburst with less brown coloring outside than some. The maple back and sides have some pretty subtle flamed grain. The neck is a 5-piece maple laminate with a pearl block inlaid ebony fingerboard. There is multiple binding everywhere and the headstock bears the pearl flowerpot inlay that is the longstanding L-5 hallmark. The neck is noticeably slimmer than earlier examples with a very narrow just-a-hair-over 1 1/2" nut width typical of the later 1960s.
The hardware includes two patent number humbucking pickups with gold plated covers wired to the standard Gibson wiring rig topped off with the "witch hat" amp-style knobs typical of this period. The original gold-plated tailpiece has the traditional silver-plated center insert and retains the old "top-buster" tension adjustment that thankfully almost nobody has ever used. The tuners are Kluson Sealfast enclosed machines, the truss rod cover is engraved "Custom" as is often seen the late 1960s on high end models.
1969 was a big year for the L-5 CES with 170 shipped; this was a bit down from the year before at 189 but still far more than earlier in the decade. The list price in September '69 was a whopping $1035.00 plus $75 for the case; this was definitely a professional grade instrument! The L-5 CES has long been considered one of the seminal jazz and R&B guitars, used by many greats from the 1950s and beyond from Freddie Stone to Pat Martino. While not an exceptionally rare guitar these were shipped in a small fraction of the numbers for many other Gibson instruments. This is a very nice example, a supremely classy guitar and fine player with the classic Gibson full-bodied sound.
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 17/32 in. (39 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely original guitar showing some light wear but nothing too serious. The original finish is relatively clean overall, showing some light checking with very little fade. There is some play wear with a few errant pick scratches into but not through the top finish and some light wear to the edges of the neck. There is a small repair to the fingerboard binding on the treble side off the second fret. There are no other visible repairs.
The guitar carries the original hardware except for the bridge, a high-end Gibson fitting from a few years later in the 1970s. The rest of the hardware is original, including the pickguard which has survived intact while many from this period have rotted away. The remaining gold plating shows typical wear on the pickup covers and tailpiece. The headstock has unusual oversize gold rings around the tuner bushings but they appear to be factory fitted; there is no evidence of any other tuners having been installed. A strap button has been added to the side above the heel, and there is a patched hole in the heel cap (with a silver dot!) from anther strap button once mounted there.
The guitar was neatly refretted with slightly taller than factory-style wire some time back and playability is excellent. This is a truly lovely guitar to play and hear, with the warm, rich, yet still lively sound characteristic of these fully carved-top Gibson electrics. It remains an excellent instrument residing in the original yellow-lined HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
