Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com

1960 Gibson L-5C

Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.

Serial #: A-33769, orange oval label. FON#: R2427-7

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .82/.85, 1st/10th frets

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; full-depth handcarved solid flame maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays; abalone torch and headstock logo; 5-ply body and neck binding; bound f-holes.

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes engraved gold tailpiece with deco insert, gold Kluson Sealfast tuners, compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Somebody might have breathed on this guitar. But not more than once.

Introduced in 1923, the Gibson L-5 was the first commercially produced archtop guitar. Almost 90 years later, it remains the most renowned, and imitated, guitar of its type ever made. Designed by Lloyd Loar himself, the L-5 was the guitar that D'Angelico copied, that Eddie Lang brought to fame, and players from Wes Montgomery to Julian Lage have carried to glory.

This superlative instrument comes to us from the family of the original owner, who seems to have forgotten about it entirely. For approximately 58 years. One of just 13 produced in this model year, this blonde masterwork has been preserved in uncannily pristine, museum quality condition. Free of cracks or repairs, this magnificent instrument is without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows no more than a few minute nicks in its gorgeously ambered original natural finish. Even the typical checking one expects in a finish aged some six decades is notably absent.

Crafted of intensely flamed northern Michigan maple, the body shows figure of exceptional depth, and bookmatched in majestic symmetry. The all-original gold hardware includes the engraved Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners, and amazingly, the instrument retains its original bound tortoise pickguard in excellent condition. At just 6lb. 6oz, the instrument is much lighter than current examples, with a clear open acoustic voice and excellent projection. Remarkably, the guitar appears never to have had a pickup installed at any time since it left the factory.

Both the serial and factory order numbers date the guitar to 1960, and the neck has the easy, gentle D profile of the early sixties, while retaining the generous full-width 1 11/16" nut. With smooth low action over fine pro medium fretwork, the guitar plays effortlessly, with a fresh high-precision setup. Even the original brown Lifton case is every bit as handsome as the guitar itself. Proceeds for the sale of this instrument will benefit the Nashville Jazz Workshop, a non-profit center for community education and performance for over two decades.

If you're looking for a cleaner L-5, you're looking for a unicorn. The rarest of finds, in showroom condition. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound 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 brown Gibson Lifton deluxe arched plush lined hardshell case.

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends