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1973 Gibson L-5S

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SN#: 105708

Scale length 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Finish: Cherry sunburst, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Solid tiger flame maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with Paua abalone inlay.

Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes twin Gibson low-impedance pickups, engraved art-deco L-5 tailpiece, adjustable Tuneomatic tailpiece, gold reflector cap volume and tone knobs, three way selector switch, Gibson custom truss rod cover, Kluson Sealfast tuners, solid bone nut.

Notes: The Gibson L-5S was introduced in 1973, as the solid body version of the world's most celebrated archtop guitar. With its all gold art-deco hardware, technicolor abalone inlay, and flowerpot peghead, the L-5S was the most ornate and costly solid body Gibson had ever made. And unlike the Les Paul, which joined a maple top to a mahogany body, the L-5S was the only Gibson to feature solid tiger maple throughout the entire instrument, body and neck alike, right down to a contoured maple back panel for the electronics. The result is an instrument with extravagant looks coupled with exceptional sustain and feedback resistance.

This example is the rare original version, built this first year only, with Les Paul's personally designed low-impedance stacked humbucking pickups. Like the legendary DeArmond pickups, the low impedance electronics offer superior clarity and audio fidelity, making them ideal for the jazz player desiring a clean, accurate tone. And the solid figured maple body eliminates feedback at any volume level, and increases sustain, for more horn-like tone shaping.

Unavailable since 1980, the L-5S has been sought after by ardent collectors ever since. This example is in superb condition, with a dramatically figured high-flame tiger maple body, and the coveted Kluson Sealfast tuners, now long out of production. Nestled in its original plush hardshell case, the guitar is without cracks, pick, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows only light traces of superficial buckle grooving in the back. The all-original gold hardware is in excellent condition, with normal plating tarnish for its age. The gentle "D" profile neck is a model of playability, with smooth low action over a solid ebony fingerboard. The tone is sweet, precise and highly articulate: truly unique among Gibson solid bodies.

An exceptional example of the rarest version of Gibson's top-shelf electric, in gig-ready condition. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Case: Original deluxe black Gibson logo fitted hardshell case with purple plush lining.

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