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1980 Gibson L-5CES

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Serial #: 81790017, stamped in headstock

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .78/.96"

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched figured 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; solid bone nut.

Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes Kluson Sealfast tuners, engraved tailpiece with art-deco ebony/pearl insert, compensated adjustable Tuneamatic bridge with inlaid ebony foot, three-way pickup selector switch, 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard, adjustable truss rod. Upgrade Lollar Imperial humbucking pickups and gold Gibson bell knobs installed, original Gibson Pat. # pickups and black bonnet knobs included in case.

Notes: The electric version of the L-5C, the L-5CES was introduced in 1951, and has been Gibson's top-line electric guitar ever since. A favorite of pro players from George Barnes to Herb Ellis and Wes Montgomery, the L-5CES is built with solid carved tonewood throughout, all gold hardware, deluxe multi-ply binding, and twin humbucking pickups since 1957.

Hand crafted at the original Gibson Kalamazoo factory, this stunning guitar is in splendid condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The solid maple back, sides and neck show attractive bookmatched figure, with a solid carved spruce soundboard, and all original sunburst finish. Action is smooth and easy over a particularly elegant D profile neck, with fine original fretwork and a fresh high precision setup.

A special plus is the set of upgrade gold Lollar Imperial humbucking pickups, hand wound and wax potted to exacting vintage specifications. (The original Gibson pickups are included in the case, along with the original black bonnet knobs, now replaced by a set of 60's style gold Gibson bell knobs.) Apart from a small finish scratch near the tailpiece, and some natural oxidation to the gold plating, the guitar remain in gleaming overall condition.

The voice is warm, rich and sweet, as befits an instrument of its distinguished pedigree, and the action is positively effortless. Highly sought-after worldwide, the L-5CES has been the gold standard for the electric archtop for some seven decades. All lovingly ensconced in its original deluxe black Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound nickel strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4 to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with light relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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