Gibson VINTAGE L-5CES '59

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Since its introduction in 1922, the L-5 has captivated jazz guitarists worldwide. It's often described as Gibson's signature high-end archtop guitar. The pickup-equipped electric Spanish model, the L-5CES, was added to the lineup in 1951. With beautiful gold-plated parts and inlays, it's one of the most luxurious Gibson archtops. While primarily favored by jazz musicians, its wide range of applications, including use by numerous rock guitarists, proves it's a versatile model.

This latest arrival is a 1959 L-5CES, with only 38 produced that year, including the natural color. Those still in existence with PAF humbuckers are extremely rare.

【body】
The overall weight is approximately 3.3 kg. The 17-inch Venetian (rounded) cutaway body is made of two-piece solid spruce, solid maple rim, and two-piece solid maple back. The beautiful sunburst color fades to brown, and the gold hardware adds a touch of luxury. Damage to the wood near the output jack has been repaired and touched up, and the entire instrument has been overcoated with clear varnish. There is some weather checking, minor dents throughout, and dullness on the metal parts, but considering its age, it is in fairly good condition. The pickguard and wooden bridge base, which tend to wear down over time, have both been replaced.

【neck】
The neck is made of five pieces of maple/walnut. The fingerboard is made of ebony. The neck section alone exudes a luxurious feel, with custom binding from the sides to the headstock and torch inlays. The neck was also overcoated at the same time as the output jack repair mentioned above. There is some weathering around the headstock logo and material transition area, and some tarnish on the metal parts, but like the body, it remains in excellent condition. The tuners are Kluson sealed fast pegs, and they function well with little variation in winding. The frets and nut have been replaced once, and there is currently little wear, ensuring good playability. The nut width is 43.1mm. The neck shape is sturdy.

[Electrical system]
The controls are classic Gibson style: 3-way pickup selector, 2-volume, and 2-tone. The pickups are two "PAF" pickups, commonly known as "PAF" pickups, bearing the "PATENT APPLIED FOR" sticker from the time. Inspired by the rise of modern jazz in 1959, embodied by renowned jazz guitarists, the PAF pickups deliver a rich, natural tone with a full acoustic construction, producing a tone that combines sweet, lustrous overtones with a powerful core. In the front position, the ebony fingerboard and spruce top combine to produce a full, warm jazz tone, while chord work provides excellent note separation and depth. In the rear position, the maple body adds a crisp, clear attack, making it ideal for bluesy phrases and rock-inspired playing. In the center position, the two are blended for a comfortable harmony of the airy resonance of the box and the smooth compression characteristic of humbuckers. Its appeal lies in its elegant sound, which not only sounds clean but also retains its definition even when the amp is driven.

Accessories: 50's Gibson brown hard case

Weight: 3.3kg
Body Material (Top/Rim/Back): Solid Spruce 2 piece w/7 ply binding／Solid Maple side／Solid Maple 2 piece w/3 ply binding, 17inch (432mm)
Neck Material/Scale length: Figured Maple/Walnut 3 piece/642mm (25-1/4inch)
Bridge/Tail: Gibson ABR-1, Gold/Trapeze Tailpiece for L-5, Gold
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Ebony w/5 piy binding/Pearloid Block/184.15mm (7.25inch)
Nut Width/Fret Size (Width): 43.1mm (replaced)/2.5mm (replaced), 20 Fret
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/10F): 23.0mm/25.0mm/26.0mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): Gibson PU-490 stickered "PATENT APPLIED FOR", Gold polepiece & Cover, 9.0mm (Narrow) Pitch, 8.2kΩ/Gibson PU-490 stickered "PATENT APPLIED FOR", Gold polepiece & Cover, 10.0mm (regular) Pitch, 7.65kΩ
*The DC resistance of the pickup is measured through the control section.

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