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2010 Gibson L-4CES

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Serial #: 11520001, orange Custom Shop label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid carved Sitka spruce top; solid figured mahogany back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back and fingerboard.

Hardware: All gold hardware, including L-5 style deco tailpiece; Grover Rotomatic tuners; compensated tuneamatic bridge with inlaid feet; Gibson '57 Classic humbucking pickup; 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard; gold bell knobs.

Notes: Introduced in 1911 as an oval hole archtop, the L-4 is the oldest model name in the Gibson catalog. The company's top-of-the line guitar until the L-5 debuted in 1922, the L-4 was redesigned with f-holes in 1935. It's comfy 16" body has always been popular with players reluctant to wrestle with a huge guitar, and its fast 24 3/4" scale rewards the hand with effortless stretch chords and lightning arpeggios.

This example is the most up-to-date version of this venerable model, and it incorporates design features from a number of Gibson's most distinguished guitars. Just as found on the L-5CES, the L-4 is crafted with a solid carved Sitka spruce top, and fitted with the ornate art deco tailpiece, bound tortoise guard and pearl inlaid bridge. The 16" Florentine cutaway body shares the same dimensions as the ever-popular ES-175, as well as the inlay pattern, which is found on the L-7, L-12, ES-350, Super 300 and other classic models.

This exceptional guitar is a special order from the Gibson Custom Shop, and is fitted with a single pickup in the neck position, in the style of the popular Wes Montgomery L-5. The guitar has a solid figured mahogany body and neck, which produces an instrument that is somewhat lighter in weight, and better balanced in the lap or on the shoulder. The neck profile is a gentle medium C, the 24 3/4" scale facilitates fast fingerwork and the '57 Classic humbucker is fat and sweet. The contoured body is warmly resonant, and nicely resistant to feedback. In immaculate virtually unplayed condition, this handsome guitar is a one-of-a-kind instrument in a distinguished lineage that spans almost a century of gorgeous, hard-working guitars.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" 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: Black Gibson logo arched deluxe hardshell case with plush lining.

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