Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson L-5S in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A decidedly unique and short-lived Gibson model, the L-5S was designed as a solidbody version of Gibson’s premier L-5 archtop, presenting visually as a very elegant Les Paul Custom with a double-bound, contoured carved maple body. This particular L-5S dates to the first year of production: from 1972-74, the L-5S was outfitted with a set of Gibson’s Low Impedance pickups, more commonly seen on the Les Paul Recording models (standard humbuckers were used after ‘74).

With any low-impedance wiring removed when this Gibson arrived at the Guitar Bar, along with a pair of non-original pickups disguised by the Gibson-embossed pickup covers, we commissioned a custom pickup set to best match the tonal intent of the instrument and also serve a broad range of genres and playing styles. These custom pickups were fitted in the original covers, with a Charlie Christian-style pickup in the neck position and a medium wind P-90 at the bridge, calibrated for optimal balance and tonal range across pickup positions.

Weighing only 8lbs 15oz despite its tonewoods, the L-5S features a slender carved flame maple body, three-piece flame maple neck, and a bound ebony fingerboard. The Charlie Christian-style neck pickup utilizes Alnico II and III magnets, with a smooth, harmonic-rich bloom and woody chop, clear-sounding and highly responsive to player inputs. The P-90-style wind in the bridge position features Alnico V magnets, with a glassy, midrange-centric bark and immediacy, highlighting the note attack of the maple/ebony construction. This L-5S has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Flame maple (three-piece)
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .830” 1st fret, 1.005” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, “deluxe” abalone block inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone (upgraded)
-Headstock: Flower Pot inlay, “Custom L-5” truss rod cover
-Tuners: Kluson Sealfast
-Serialization: Six-digit stamp dates to 1972

Body Specs:

-Wood: Flame maple
-Pickups: Charlie Christian (Neck: 4.18k ohms), P-90 (Bridge: 7.69k ohms)
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
-Harness: CTS 500k pots, Sprague Orange Drop tone caps (modern)
-Hardware: “Harmonica” bridge, stopbar (replacement), “Gibson”-stamped pickup covers and surrounds
-Plastics: Reflector cap knobs (modern)

The gloss Cherry Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the curly flame figuring in the maple, particularly dynamic on the back, and the stopbar is a later addition in lieu of the original L-5-style trapeze tailpiece. The original mounting holes for the trapeze have been cleanly doweled adjacent to the endpin. Cosmetic wear includes buckle rash central to the back, two small finish chips on top matching the placement of the original tailpiece’s forward edge, and some minor dings and finish scratches on the body consistent with decades of careful usage. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth, free of palm wear and also highlighting deep, dimensional figuring in the maple.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included; the handle has been replaced (original handle included).