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In this Discussion
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Sold: 1981 Gibson L-5c (video added)
danishbacon
Frets: 2695
Selling my 1981 L-5c
Whereas there are plenty of L5CES to be found, there were only an average of 12 or so L-5c made a year between 1935 and 1989, assuming that during years where records were not kept/lost they maintained a similar number of production. In 1981 it’s likely that less than 5 were made in total.
It’s the ultimate ‘acoustic’ version of the L-5. No buzzes from electrics cut into the top, full on arch top prowess, parallel bracing. It was the model of choice for Wes Montgomery, though at the time he cut the top to install a humbucker. That’s not necessary today as the mini humbucker that is installed has plenty of output and sounds like, well, a good humbucker should. It has a stealth under pickguard tone pot installed.
The guitar is jazz through and through, though you’re welcome to play whatever you like on it. If jazz is new to you, this is a great place to start. At the top. The best-of-the-best. Opus. Shoot for the stars sort of thing.
I'll include a brilliant jazz guitar handbook and an L-5 resource book as well to get you up to speed.
This L-5c is unusual in that it comes from the very tail-end period of Norlin. Although it is said that the craftsmanship and tonal qualities of higher end Gibson jazzboxes during the Norlin occupancy remained high, the timber selections were certainly more muted and spartan. There’s also the issue of the dark teardrop burst that was prevalent at the time. Not so on this example.
It’s hard to work out exactly what changed in 1981 that both this guitar and the one that was sold by Greg (more on this below) have such high grade timbers and careful construction (proper deep dish recarve and voiced box). Was it a decision to start making seriously posh jazz boxes again? A rebellion amidst the luthiers? A couple of special ordered or one-off staff guitars?
This one is stamped ‘Second’ on the back of the headstock which means there was either a cosmetic flaw or it was an employee guitar if you believe what information there is about the matter on the internet. It was stamped after it was finished. If it is due to a cosmetic flaw, it’s hard to say what exactly as it has a few dings and marks around from over 40 years of playing.
The mini humbucker is wonderful, you can roll back the volume a bit and the tone gets slightly darker. It has the very handy, flip-out cranking Schaller keystone tuning machines.
If chunky jazz tone is what you’re looking for, with plenty of nuance and life, it’s hard to beat to be honest.
It’s also very easy to play, low buzz- free action, beautifully set up neck and with a comfortable profile that is not quite chunky and not quite slim. The amber/auburn Cremona Burst is absolutely gorgeous. Flamed maple everywhere with a beautiful inlaid flowerpot on the headstock and fretboard markers. The spruce top is very tight and evenly grained.
Six years ago, Gregs Guitars sold one of the same year (1981), that was advertised for €7000. It’s not unusual to see modern L-5s now in the £8-9k range nowadays. A recent L-5 sale in the UK, eBay, went for £7500
All that being said it’s priced at £6500 which is just over half of what you would expect to pay for a new custom ordered L-5 today, if they still made them. They don't, so this is it for now.
The guitar comes with what I believe is its original/upgraded factory deluxe TKL case (it’s not stamped Gibson but it’s an L-5 case finished in crocodile stamped leatherette with the silk material shroud that goes over the instrument. I also have a fitted Hiscox case if you'd prefer that.
Given the cost and the guitar in question, I'd much prefer a local collection or meet-up, don't mind driving.
Here's an amplified demo of the guitar, I'm also happy to record a couple of acoustic ones if you'd like. The tone pot is at about 60% open here.
Whereas there are plenty of L5CES to be found, there were only an average of 12 or so L-5c made a year between 1935 and 1989, assuming that during years where records were not kept/lost they maintained a similar number of production. In 1981 it’s likely that less than 5 were made in total.
It’s the ultimate ‘acoustic’ version of the L-5. No buzzes from electrics cut into the top, full on arch top prowess, parallel bracing. It was the model of choice for Wes Montgomery, though at the time he cut the top to install a humbucker. That’s not necessary today as the mini humbucker that is installed has plenty of output and sounds like, well, a good humbucker should. It has a stealth under pickguard tone pot installed.
The guitar is jazz through and through, though you’re welcome to play whatever you like on it. If jazz is new to you, this is a great place to start. At the top. The best-of-the-best. Opus. Shoot for the stars sort of thing.
I'll include a brilliant jazz guitar handbook and an L-5 resource book as well to get you up to speed.
This L-5c is unusual in that it comes from the very tail-end period of Norlin. Although it is said that the craftsmanship and tonal qualities of higher end Gibson jazzboxes during the Norlin occupancy remained high, the timber selections were certainly more muted and spartan. There’s also the issue of the dark teardrop burst that was prevalent at the time. Not so on this example.
It’s hard to work out exactly what changed in 1981 that both this guitar and the one that was sold by Greg (more on this below) have such high grade timbers and careful construction (proper deep dish recarve and voiced box). Was it a decision to start making seriously posh jazz boxes again? A rebellion amidst the luthiers? A couple of special ordered or one-off staff guitars?
This one is stamped ‘Second’ on the back of the headstock which means there was either a cosmetic flaw or it was an employee guitar if you believe what information there is about the matter on the internet. It was stamped after it was finished. If it is due to a cosmetic flaw, it’s hard to say what exactly as it has a few dings and marks around from over 40 years of playing.
The mini humbucker is wonderful, you can roll back the volume a bit and the tone gets slightly darker. It has the very handy, flip-out cranking Schaller keystone tuning machines.
If chunky jazz tone is what you’re looking for, with plenty of nuance and life, it’s hard to beat to be honest.
It’s also very easy to play, low buzz- free action, beautifully set up neck and with a comfortable profile that is not quite chunky and not quite slim. The amber/auburn Cremona Burst is absolutely gorgeous. Flamed maple everywhere with a beautiful inlaid flowerpot on the headstock and fretboard markers. The spruce top is very tight and evenly grained.
Six years ago, Gregs Guitars sold one of the same year (1981), that was advertised for €7000. It’s not unusual to see modern L-5s now in the £8-9k range nowadays. A recent L-5 sale in the UK, eBay, went for £7500
All that being said it’s priced at £6500 which is just over half of what you would expect to pay for a new custom ordered L-5 today, if they still made them. They don't, so this is it for now.
The guitar comes with what I believe is its original/upgraded factory deluxe TKL case (it’s not stamped Gibson but it’s an L-5 case finished in crocodile stamped leatherette with the silk material shroud that goes over the instrument. I also have a fitted Hiscox case if you'd prefer that.
Given the cost and the guitar in question, I'd much prefer a local collection or meet-up, don't mind driving.
Here's an amplified demo of the guitar, I'm also happy to record a couple of acoustic ones if you'd like. The tone pot is at about 60% open here.
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Comments
some lucky plucker will have a great Christmas