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2004 Gibson L-5 Lee Ritenour Signature

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Serial #: 23274001, stamped in headstock

Body size at lower bout: 15 1/2" Body depth: 2 5/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .73/.89, 1st/10th frets

Finish: Sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.

Materials: Solid bookmatched carved fine grain Sitka spruce top; handcarved solid maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripes; solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays; abalone torch and headstock logo; 5-ply body and neck binding; bound f-holes; solid bone nut.

Hardware: All original gold hardware includes Gibson Johnny Smith humbucking pickup, adjustable fine-tuner finger tailpiece with factory endpin jack, Gibson Schaller tulip key tuners; bound marbled 5-ply pickguard with volume control, compensated adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid feet, Lee Ritenour signature truss rod cover.

Notes: Introduced in 1923, the Gibson L-5 was the first commercially produced archtop guitar. Almost 80 years later, it remains the most renowned jazz guitar of all time. Designed by Lloyd Loar himself, the L-5 was the guitar that D'Angelico copied, and Eddie Lang brought to fame. Since that time, the L-5 has been an icon in the hands of players from Wes Montgomery to studio ace Lee Ritenour, who collaborated with Gibson on this unique design.

In 1958 TV personality George Gobel approached Gibson with a new concept for the venerable L-5: slim the body depth by almost an inch, and reduce the scale to 24 3/4". (And paint it cherry red, which looked just dandy on black and white screens.) Gibson made only 43 George Gobel L-5s until the model was discontinued in 1961, making surviving specimens instant collector's items. Over four decades later, Grammy winner Lee Ritenour asked Gibson to revive the slimline L-5 with some distinctive touches, including a floating Johnny Smith pickup, fine-tuner tailpiece, full length scale, and compact 15 1/2" lower bout. The result is a contemporary jazz guitar combining warm, singing tone with unprecedented playability.

This rare example is from the second model year, and in gleaming 100% original condition, showing intense tiger flame figure in the bookmatched back, and deep satin rollers in the sides and neck. At a featherweight 6lb 3oz, the guitar is more than a full pound lighter than many new full size L-5 models, and is elegantly balanced on the shoulder. Neck profile is an easy gentle D, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. and the marbleized Super 400 style pickguard is an elegant touch. Best of all the slimline 15 1/2" body just sits in the lap like a purring cat.

Built to please the hand, eye, and ear with equal facility, the Lee Ritenour Signature is one of the scarcest and most playable versions of the L-5 ever produced. Sought after by players and collectors alike, the LR rarely appears on the vintage market, and the new street price is well north of eleven grand at this writing. Complete with all original paperwork and case candy, including Certificate of Authenticity, hang tags and black tweed cable. Agile, versatile, and uniquely comfortable: one only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings (.012-.052). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original black Gibson Custom Shop logo arched plush lined hardshell case.

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