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2009 S.Tsuji L-5

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Serial #: 09176 Body size at lower bout: 17" Body depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 25 1/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .84/.92

Materials: Solid hand graduated spruce top; solid hand graduated maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; solid multi-ply maple binding.

Hardware: All original hardware includes Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, multi-bound tortoise pickguard, pearl inlaid ebony tailpiece, compensated adjustable ebony bridge, adjustable truss rod with bell cover. Revel Humdinger P-90 style single coil pickup, with gold bell volume knob, pickguard mounted thumbwheel tone control, and 1/4" jack.

Notes: Master luthier Shiro Tsuji began his apprenticeship carving the soundboards of viol family instruments in a small instrument factory in the historic city of Kyoto. Later repairing Gibson and Martin guitars, he became the favored restoration luthier for the Tsumura Collection, one of the largest private fretted instrument collections iof the era. Now located in the rustic Unesco World Heritage village of Gokoyama, Tsuji has developed innovative techniques for optimizing the design of his widely acclaimed series of archtop guitars.

Tsuji's L-5 model blends some of the most desirable features of Gibson's celebrated archtop models. With the cutaway body and center-dip headstock of the postwar L-5C, the soundboard is X-braced like the Johnny Smith and the Advanced Model L-5 of the 1930's. The flower pot inlay and art deco tailpiece are iconic designs as well, with the latter crafted of solid ebony, inset with mother of pearl.

The Revel Humdinger pickup is also a fusion of Gibson designs, with the signature clarity and detail of the P-90 single coil, and the noise free signal of the PAF humbucker. Crafted of all solid tonewoods, the Tsuji has a tightly figured maple body, bookmatched in a striking chevron pattern, with a solid, hand graduated spruce soundboard.

The neck has a gentle D profile, with smooth low action over a solid ebony fingerboard, with polished medium jumbo fretwork and a fresh high precision setup. The guitar is free of playwear, with all original cherry sunburst lacquer finish, and only a few incidental nicks to show for its long career. With the warmth of the X braced soundboard and the fidelity of the hum-free single coil pickup, the voice is pure bop heaven itself.

Tsuji's guitars are a rare find anywhere, and especially scarce on this side of the pond, and the new version of this model sell direct from Tsuji website for over $8500 with shipping. The most faithful L-5 tribute you'll see as long as Gibson has lawyers, the Tsuji is an outstanding value in a true handbuilt, luthier quality instrument. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flat wound strings. 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: Deluxe plush lined hardshell case.

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