Gibson VINTAGE L-5CES '70

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.

The piece we have in stock this time was shipped around 1970 and is in excellent condition.

【body】
The overall weight is approximately 3.5 kg. The 17-inch Venetian (rounded) cutaway body is constructed of two-piece solid spruce, solid maple rim, and one-piece laminate maple back. The faded, iced-tea sunburst color, unique to this period, is very beautiful. The pickguard, which was prone to crumbling, and the pickup covers, which had deteriorated, have been replaced. The bridge, along with the wooden base, has been replaced with a Historic Parts ABR-1. There is some weather checking, small dents and burn marks overall, and dullness on the metal parts, but considering the age of the guitar, it is in fairly good condition.

【neck】
The neck is a familiar five-piece design, but the arrangement appears to be maple/walnut/maple/maple/maple, making it a very rare specification. The fingerboard is ebony. The neck section alone exudes a sense of luxury, with custom binding from the sides to the headstock and torch inlays. There is some weathering around the headstock logo and material transitions, and some tarnish on the metal parts, but like the body, it remains in excellent condition. The tuners are Kluson sealed fast pegs, and function well with little winding variation. The frets and nut show only slight wear, providing good playability. The nut width is 39.4mm. The neck shape is slim and clean.

[Electrical system]
The controls are classic Gibson style: 3-way pickup selector, 2 volumes, and 2 tones. The pickups are two original patent-numbered stickered T-top humbuckers. The pots and tone capacitors are also original.

The combination of a solid spruce top and maple body adds the tight, cored tone typical of T-top humbuckers from this period, while also providing the rich airiness and clear attack of a 17-inch body. In the front position, it outputs a sweet, warm, yet well-defined jazz tone with the quick response typical of an ebony fingerboard. In the rear position, a bright, well-defined character stands out, creating a crisp sound. In the center position, the two are blended, allowing you to enjoy chord work with excellent three-dimensionality and separation.

Accessories: Gibson wine red inner black hard case

Weight: 3.5kg
Body Material (Top/Rim/Back): Solid Spruce 2 piece w/7 ply binding／Solid Maple side／Laminated Maple 1 piece w/3 ply binding, 17inch (432mm)
Neck Material/Scale length: Figured Maple/Walnut 5 piece/642mm (25-1/4inch)
Bridge/Tail: Gibson ABR-1, Gold (replaced)/Trapeze Tailpiece for L-5, Gold
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Ebony w/5 piy binding/Pearloid Block/254.0mm (10inch)
Nut Width/Fret Size (Width): 39.4mm/2.7mm, 20 Fret
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/10F): 21.0mm/23.5mm/25.1mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): Gibson PU-490 Stickered Numbered T-Top Humbucker, Gold polepiece & Cover (replaced), 10.0mm (regular) Pitch, (7.8kΩ/8.1kΩ)
*The DC resistance of the pickup is measured through the control section.

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