1935 L5 for $2075

bkdavidson · #1 07-03-2010, 04:02 PM

Hey guys, I was just scouring ebay doing a little dreaming/drooling, and came across this:1935 Gibson L-5 archtop vintage acoustic guitar L5 P C - eBay (item 380246659320 end time Jul-05-10 18:31:40 PDT) There's no way I could ever get it, but someone on here might. It does seem a little too good to be true, but I don't know enough about vintage Gibsons to call anything out. The 'originally owned by Frank Sinatra guitarist' seems a little far-fetched, though.

P.S.--I have nothing to do with this guitar, other than having found it on ebay.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #2 07-03-2010, 04:10 PM

That's got to go for more than 2 grand, in the end. Its condition looks very good!

Steve Z · #3 07-03-2010, 04:43 PM

Definitely a nice guitar, but what are all those little dots all over the fretboard...

clem_gael · #4 07-03-2010, 05:02 PM

Looks like Eb minor pentatonic scale

Steve Z · #5 07-03-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem_gael

Looks like Eb minor pentatonic scale

I thought it looked like a scale... and it appears to be pressed into the fretboard... weird

DonEsteban · #6 07-03-2010, 05:48 PM

With this weird Scale DOTs?

You'd have to replace the fingerboard in any case.

How can there be a dent like this w/o affecting the guitar? Doesn't this look like a bad fret job?

whippersnapper · #7 07-03-2010, 07:29 PM

Strange!

billkath · #8 07-03-2010, 08:18 PM

Know what it looks like to me? It looks like the fingerboard was lifting, and some eejit pinned it, and counterpunched the pins in. Fret 17 hints at that being done as well.

spiral · #9 08-09-2010, 04:16 PM

This went for $5,220.00 which seems crazy high for the condition it is in.

DonEsteban · #10 08-09-2010, 04:19 PM

unbe *uckin lievable....

Steve Z · #11 08-09-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonEsteban

unbe *uckin lievable....

My thoughts exactly. Either someone knows something I don't or they are going to be a bit disappointed when they get the guitar. I thought the written discription did not match the pictures at all...

Quote:

A vintage 1935 Gibson L-5 archtop guitar in excellent functional condition and very-good-to-excellent cosmetic condition

Obviously I have a totally different definition for "very-good-to-excellent cosmetic condition".

paynow · #12 08-09-2010, 04:48 PM

I'm glad I kept that five grand I don't have in the bank.

This cat makes the following statement in the listing title:

"Orig owned by Frank Sinatra guitarist."

Then states the following in the description:

Quote:

In the case there is an old piece of paper that says "These Are the Things I Love C" and "I'll Be Seeing You D." These are two famous Sinatra tunes, the latter of which wasn't even originally written by Sinatra but was made popular by him in 1938. Could this guitar have originally been purchased by someone who played guitar for Frank Sinatra? I would say it is more likely than not, being how nice of a model of Gibson guitar this is.

Got a bit fast and loose and with the facts to attract buyers is what I'd say. NEITHER of the tunes mentioned were written by or contributed to by Sinatra. He has composer credit on seven tunes and those were all as a contributor of lyrics.

And of course anyone who owned a nice old L5 from that era and has some lyrics scratched on paper laying in the case must have played with Frank. I used to have a Rick with the lyrics to "She Loves You" on notepaper in the case. Just to let you guys know, I was in the Beatles. I also wrote the tune. I used the Rick on our first tour of Jersey. I'm not lying. I wish I had that guitar today to sell on eBay. (tongue planted firmly in cheek)

Then this guy posts all these pics with the holes and makes no mention of it figuring people won't notice. Great.

I hope the person who bought this restores instruments and knows what they're getting.

brad4d8 · #13 08-09-2010, 08:36 PM

>"These Are the Things I Love C" and "I'll Be Seeing You D." These are two famous Sinatra tunes, the latter of which wasn't even originally written by Sinatra but was made popular by him in 1938.<
His first recording is usually listed as in 1939, with Harry James, so this must be a very rare Sinatra record that the seller will probably list soon.

Brad

paynow · #14 08-09-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad4d8

>"These Are the Things I Love C" and "I'll Be Seeing You D." These are two famous Sinatra tunes, the latter of which wasn't even originally written by Sinatra but was made popular by him in 1938.<
His first recording is usually listed as in 1939, with Harry James, so this must be a very rare Sinatra record that the seller will probably list soon.

Brad

Geez, you just reminded me that I have to list that bootleg I have of Dizzy Gillespie playing "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" on the Ocarina. It was recorded in 1892.

derek · #15 08-10-2010, 11:53 AM

That is a horrible hack job. Hopefully the buyer knows what they are getting into. Caveat Emptor folks.

1949GibsonL5 · #16 12-29-2010, 09:53 PM

It can't be Frank Sinatra's guitarist's guitar, Al Viola was Sinatra's guitarist, and his was a 39, not a 35, and it's accounted for:
YouTube - 1939 AL VIOLA'S Gibson L-5 00996

SamBooka · #17 12-30-2010, 08:39 AM

Great vid.. I just dont understand why they didnt get PhilX to demo it DUUUUUUDE

1949GibsonL5 · #18 12-30-2010, 09:31 AM

There is one with PhilX doing it, but I decided to have the video of the trained jazz guitarist on there.

hot ford coupe · #19 12-30-2010, 10:04 AM

I'm sorry but it's definitely not Frank's guitarist's guitar. I have Franks' guitarist's guitar. I also have Gllenn Miller's guitarist's guitar. I also have Benny Goodman's guitarist's guitar. I also have Fletcher Henderson's guitarist's guitar. I also have----------------------. I'm very special.

1949GibsonL5 · #20 12-30-2010, 11:04 AM

If you have Frank's Guitarist's guitar, why is it listed for sale here?
http://www.frettedamericana.com/gibs...9-d-996-2.html

Silentwiz · #21 12-30-2010, 11:32 AM

Wow... phil x... l5... I've learned a lot today.

lindydanny · #22 12-30-2010, 12:52 PM

So, Al Viola only had one guitar? What kind of guitarist is that!!!

~DB

hot ford coupe · #23 12-31-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1949GibsonL5

If you have Frank's Guitarist's guitar, why is it listed for sale here?
http://www.frettedamericana.com/gibs...9-d-996-2.html

Oh yeah, that's the guy who--uh--sold me one just like it. Al Viola had 2 L5's. Yeah, that's the ticket. I play it often for my wife---uh---Morgan Fairchild, that's it.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #24 12-31-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hot ford coupe

Oh yeah, that's the guy who--uh--sold me one just like it. Al Viola had 2 L5's. Yeah, that's the ticket. I play it often for my wife---uh---Morgan Fairchild, that's it.

Oh. I'm having an affair with your wife. Awkward...

hot ford coupe · #25 12-31-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Oh. I'm having an affair with your wife. Awkward...

I can give you Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00. I'm off Wednesday but the rest of the week is usually booked. Make sure you clean up after yourself and lock the door when you leave.