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1966 Gibson L-5C

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Serial #: 406770, orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 19/32" Neck depth: .76/.93, 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: Original gold hardware includes Johnny Smith floating pickup, engraved tailpiece with deco insert, Kluson Sealfast tuners, compensated adjustable pearl inlaid ebony bridge, 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: By the time this handsome instrument left the Gibson factory in the mid-60's, the acoustic archtop had become almost an anachronism, with production just a fraction of the newly popular electric L-5CES. One of a mere 25 examples from its model year, this lovely instrument is carved of tonewoods of exceptionally fine quality, with a bookmatched Sitka spruce soundboard and back, sides and neck crafted of deeply flamed Northern Michigan bigleaf maple of wonderful depth and intensity.

The original light cherry sunburst finish is notably free of pick, buckle, or thumbwear, and the instrument shows no cracks, with all binding tight to the body. Checking is light for an instrument of its vintage, with a few scattered lacquer nicks, a narrow finish scratch on the upper bass bout, and an extra strap pin near the heel. The engraved art deco Varitone tailpiece shows some age on the plating, and the headstock is fitted with genuine Kluson Sealfast tuners, now long unavailable.

With its full width 1 11/16" nut, the neck has a slim elegant D profile, and a fresh neck set offers smooth low action with excellent bridge height, a fresh high precision setup, and pristine new medium jumbo fretwork. At barely 6lb. the instrument is nimbly light in weight, with a warm, vibrant voice, excellent clarity, and great acoustic projection, conveyed accurately by the original floating Johnny Smith pickup, whose volume and tone controls and a 1/4" jack are all mounted to the pickguard.

Vibrant, gorgeous, and effortlessly playable: an outstanding example of true 60's Gibson craftsmanship at its very finest, all nestled in its original black Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound 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.

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