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1989 Gibson L-5CES

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Serial #: 81119627, oval Master Model label. Signature label hand signed, James Hutchins, dated June 13th, 1989

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .77/.94

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched AAA tiger-flame maple back and sides; tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripes; solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays; pearl torch and headstock logo; 5-ply body and neck binding; bound f-holes; solid bone nut.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin Pat.# humbucking pickups, engraved tailpiece with art-deco ebony/pearl insert, Gibson Schaller M6 tuners, compensated adjustable gold ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge with pearl inlaid foot; 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard, three-way pickup selector switch; adjustable truss rod. Gold bell volume and tone knobs.

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.

This gleaming example is in superb condition, 100% original, with all factory hardware, and is without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The tiger flame back, sides and neck show intense fiddleback maple, bookmatched in a dramatic chevron figure. Neck is an elegant gentle "D" profile, and the original fretwork is high and perfectly crowned, with smooth, low action over a fresh high-precision setup. An eyecatching addition is the pearl inlaid art-deco ebony insert on the tailpiece, a rare variant seen only for a few short years.

The tone is warm, rich and vibrant, as befits an instrument of its distinguished pedigree, and the Master Model Custom Shop label is affixed inside the treble soundhole. Apart from a bit of wear on the neck pickup cover, the instrument looks much as it did when it left the factory some three decades ago.

Highly sought-after worldwide, the L-5CES has been the gold standard for the electric archtop for over half a century. This handsome example comes complete with its original deluxe brown arched Gibson logo hardshell case. No longer available new at any price at this writing, these classics go fast. 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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