1970s Gibson L-5 CES Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Blonde w/ T Tops, Case
$7,999.99
$7,999.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a late 1970s Gibson L-5 CES in excellent condition and in perfect working order, featuring its original Blonde gloss nitro lacquer finish and pair of patent number T-Top humbuckers. Upon its introduction in 1951 as the electrified version of Gibson's L-5C, the "CES" L-5 has been the gold standard for Gibson archtops, with solid carved tonewoods used throughout.
Boasting a full 17" lower bout with a carved, tight-grain premium spruce top and maple back and sides, the size of this archtop yields rich textured tones with a distinct woody quality and complex midrange character. Naturally, the solid ebony bridge and fretboard impart a glassy note attack and superior articulation integral in round, present tonalities in every register and the kind of note separation essential to complex Jazz chord voicings. The original pair of patent number T Top humbuckers faithfully amplify the ample acoustic properties of the instrument, with a dynamic, sparkling bridge pickup sound and more girthy and warm neck pickup tonalities. The instrument weighs 7lbs 4oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-52 roundwound strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The five-piece highly figured flame maple neck has a very slender C-shaped profile carve, fast and effortless with just enough shoulder, measuring .765" deep at the 1st fret and .910" at the 9th. The ebony fretboard features multi-ply binding and pearl block inlay, and the guitar has been partially refretted with medium jumbo wire from frets 1-13. The original frets are present from fret 14 on up, and fretwear is limited to just a hint of wear beneath the G and B strings on frets 1-6. The guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut has been upgraded to a hand-carved piece of bone, and the guitar retains its original complement of Kluson Sealfast gold-plated tuners. The torch headstock inlay and "Custom L-5" truss rod cover is also present.
The guitar has a flawless headstock repair courtesy of Portland Fretworks, with two pieces of flame maple grafted in on either side, extending behind fret 2 on the shoulders of the carve, and an additional 1/8” thick flame maple backstrap on the headstock. Given the nature of the repair, the guitar no longer has a serial number.
All of the original electronics function as intended, with untouched solder on the gold covers and patent number baseplates on the T Top humbuckers. The ebony bridge is a modern replacement, and the hardware includes the original quartet of black witch hat knobs with gold caps as well as the original etched gold-plated tailpiece which only shows light surface patina at the hinge. The original bound nitrate tortoise pickguard is stabilized as much as the material will allow, yet the fragility of the material is apparent, and could warrant replacement in the future. Fox Guards offers a premium replica pickguard which can be sourced and installed for additional cost at the discretion of the next owner. Visible through the F hole, this L-5 retains the Norlin-era Union Made label.
The original high gloss Blonde nitro lacquer finish exhibits small nicks and light buckle worming on the back, some additional pinhead-sized marks largely clustered behind the bridge on top, and similarly restrained wear on the rims. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
A black tolex hardshell case is included.
Boasting a full 17" lower bout with a carved, tight-grain premium spruce top and maple back and sides, the size of this archtop yields rich textured tones with a distinct woody quality and complex midrange character. Naturally, the solid ebony bridge and fretboard impart a glassy note attack and superior articulation integral in round, present tonalities in every register and the kind of note separation essential to complex Jazz chord voicings. The original pair of patent number T Top humbuckers faithfully amplify the ample acoustic properties of the instrument, with a dynamic, sparkling bridge pickup sound and more girthy and warm neck pickup tonalities. The instrument weighs 7lbs 4oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-52 roundwound strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The five-piece highly figured flame maple neck has a very slender C-shaped profile carve, fast and effortless with just enough shoulder, measuring .765" deep at the 1st fret and .910" at the 9th. The ebony fretboard features multi-ply binding and pearl block inlay, and the guitar has been partially refretted with medium jumbo wire from frets 1-13. The original frets are present from fret 14 on up, and fretwear is limited to just a hint of wear beneath the G and B strings on frets 1-6. The guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut has been upgraded to a hand-carved piece of bone, and the guitar retains its original complement of Kluson Sealfast gold-plated tuners. The torch headstock inlay and "Custom L-5" truss rod cover is also present.
The guitar has a flawless headstock repair courtesy of Portland Fretworks, with two pieces of flame maple grafted in on either side, extending behind fret 2 on the shoulders of the carve, and an additional 1/8” thick flame maple backstrap on the headstock. Given the nature of the repair, the guitar no longer has a serial number.
All of the original electronics function as intended, with untouched solder on the gold covers and patent number baseplates on the T Top humbuckers. The ebony bridge is a modern replacement, and the hardware includes the original quartet of black witch hat knobs with gold caps as well as the original etched gold-plated tailpiece which only shows light surface patina at the hinge. The original bound nitrate tortoise pickguard is stabilized as much as the material will allow, yet the fragility of the material is apparent, and could warrant replacement in the future. Fox Guards offers a premium replica pickguard which can be sourced and installed for additional cost at the discretion of the next owner. Visible through the F hole, this L-5 retains the Norlin-era Union Made label.
The original high gloss Blonde nitro lacquer finish exhibits small nicks and light buckle worming on the back, some additional pinhead-sized marks largely clustered behind the bridge on top, and similarly restrained wear on the rims. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
A black tolex hardshell case is included.
