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1946 Gibson L-5
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Serial #: 99291
Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25.4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .89/.101
Materials: Highly figured tiger flame solid bookmatched maple back, sides and neck; handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; five piece flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; quintuple bound solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlay and pointed finial; quintuple bound peghead and body with bound f-holes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Original Kluson Sealfast tuners with single ring tulip keys; original compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, original engraved deco L-5 tailpiece. Vintage correct quintuple bound dark tortoise pickguard.
Notes: It is a truism of fine stringed instruments that the more they are played, the better their tone. Guitars stored under the bed for years can sound as green and tight as the day they were made. But occasionally an instrument surfaces whose immaculate appearance is belied by the throaty voice of a venerable old warhorse. And this guitar is apparently the exception that proves the rule.
We know that just after the war Gibson had some extravagantly vivid tiger flame maple to work with, because we've seen wood from this same astounding batch in several other L-5s quite close in serial numbers. And this example has it lavished throughout: in the neck, sides, and the impossibly figured bookmatched back. One of the last guitars with the prewar fat script logo, it's also got one of the last of the pre-A series serial numbers.
The condition of this handsome specimen is similarly remarkable.100% original finish, hardware and case, no cracks, pick, buckle or thumbwear, no fingerboard divots, even the original frets in excellent condition. Apart from a few random lacquer nicks, the guitar looks like it just came from the showroom in the Music Store That Time Forgot. It even has its original hang tag.
And remarkably, this gleaming guitar sounds every bit as good as it looks. The voice is warm and throaty, with all the bark and projection of the best big band guitars. The neck profile is classic 40's, full and well shaped, and it sits in the hand with authority. The original gold Kluson Sealfast tuners are in fine condition, and art-deco tailpiece is elegantly engraved. With the addition of an immaculately crafted vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard, the guitar is simply thrilling to behold.
Even the case tells the story of a deeply sheltered life; there's scarcely a scratch on its textured black covering. It's the real deal, the whole package. If they all showed up like this, there'd be a lot of repair guys out banging nails. Our last L-5 this nice sold years ago. How long are you planning to wait for the next one? Call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation strobe tuned; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge compensation strobe tuned; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.056). 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 Gibson deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case
