1946 Gibson L5

[58dutchie]

Hi there,

I was able to buy a 1946 Gibson L5! Fantastic guitar, she plays and sounds great, very happy with it. Pickguard is a (hand made) repro one because the original one was totally gassed and brittle (it’s still with the guitar). Nice thing is that the new pickguard was made using the binding of the original one. She comes with the original case too. Lots of flame on this guitar, back, sides and neck. Would love to know how many L5’s were produced in 1946…anyone?

And please let me know what strings you would play on it?

Enjoy the pics!

[Webby]

Wow! It doesn't get much better than that!

[mr. beaumont]

Wow is the correct word, indeed!

I'd put 80/20s on it.

[vinnyv1k]

Gorgeous woods ! A big Congrats

[tbeltrans]

What a wonderfully preserved instrument! Despite all the boutique and small shop builders discussed around here, there is nothing like a Gibson archtop.

Tony

[Stringswinger]

Congrats and may she inspire your playing for many years to come. I would string her with round core 80/20's (12's or 13's). That is very much a "wow" guitar. Pretty much a "top of the food chain" guitar in fact.

[58dutchie]

[Oscar67]

Oh wow that’s a stunner! Congrats!

[tbeltrans]

Nice flower garden! Oh, there is a guitar growing in there too!

Tony

[wintermoon]

"Would love to know how many L5’s were produced in 1946…anyone?"

not certain of exact immediate postwar shipping totals but '46 was a huge year for guitar manufacturing in general.
the war was over and people were buying. if you look around there's a lot of '46 Gibson L-5's, Epiphone Deluxes, etc.
you'll also see some of the finest figured maple in that period.
I posted this on the forum before but Gibsons from that period might not always be the sweetest sounding but tend to be very punchy/loud.
congrats on the NGD....

[icr]

Fantastic guitar. Makes the 1940s L7 look like a beginner guitar!

[Woody Sound]

Nice flower garden! Oh, there is a guitar growing in there too!

Tony

Hydrangeas are awesome.

[Fred Archtop]

Now, that’s an archtop ! Congrats for your wonderful acquisition.

[Woody Sound]

I'll take that 'burst over a 'natch any day!

[tbeltrans]

I'll take that 'burst over a 'natch any day!

For reason unknown, on an acoustic (flat top) guitar, I don't care at all for sunburst, but on an archtop, that is my preference.

Tony

[guildx500]

What a beauty!

[2bornot2bop]

That gem looks mint, especially for being born 9 years before me!

[58dutchie]

That gem looks mint, especially for being born 9 years before me!

No, it’s not mint, but in pretty good condition considering it’s age ;-)

[2bornot2bop]

No, it’s not mint, but in pretty good condition considering it’s age ;-)

Well, you photographed it great, which is the key to posting any NGD!

[bohemian46]

Spectacular !

[RJVB]

Congrats!

Would love to know how many L5’s were produced in 1946…anyone?

And please let me know what strings you would play on it?

I'd be more interested to know how many of such vintage L5 there are in "Dutchland"! (I do still go there from time to time )

String choice would depend on the styles you play and the kind of sound you're after but I'd try TI Spectrums or Plectrums first.

[Brian859]

Holy crap. Thats like a centerfold guitar or something. Doesn't get much better than that.

[doc w]

older arch tops are really hard to photograph.They all look great in the photo, even if the guitar is a real beater. I think it must have something do to with the way the contours on the top diffuse the light. They always look so dreamy, for want of a better word. Mine (1936 L-12) is a really good guitar and takes a great photo but has a LOT of wear.

[medblues]

Splendid!