Need advice on the sound of this Gibson L-5 Wes model..

[58flame]

How do you plan on getting the L5 home?

[v281]

@Maxxx - that's quite a trip you've got lined up there and an exciting journey ahead of you!

I didn't go to such lengths when looking for my L-5CES back in 2019, but managed to sample L-5's in London, Paris and Rome - Gibson L-5: Does the model year of a James Hutchins signed L-5 matter?

before eventually having one shipped to me from The Fellowship of Acoustics (TFOA.eu) in Holland (the only reputable dealer I found in Europe with a reputation of honoring their 30-day money back guarantee, an attractive L-5 in inventory at the time and willing to ship) - 2002 Gibson L5CES

Funny thing is, after all that I bought a 2008 Gibson L-4CES a few months later and that is my 'go to'-guitar to this day and the one that's been getting the most play time since...

[SierraTango]

Wow! L-5's, Motorcycle expeditions through Europe, how to get it home? I sense a novel in the making.
I have a dear friend that is a Rock and Roll player, however he is well off and decided he needed a L-5 Wes. When I went over to see it the first time, he had replaced the strings with some dental floss 10's with predictable results. I had a spare set of TI JS 13's and gently hinted that he should give those a try. I was out riding my Motorcycle and got a text could I ride over to check the new strings. So here's a short video of me in my riding gear giving it a quick spin. This is unplugged, cell phone video.
He agreed the TI's were a improvement!
Good luck on your quest and ride safely.

[Gustavo Eiriz]

I remember everytime i travelled from my country, Argentina, to Japan. I went crazy with guitar stores... you had like 8 or 9 L-5ces or wes to check between Tokyo and Osaka. Everytime i went there were some new to try. Many used in great condition. Some late 50's too, 60's with back and rims laminated. Tryied them all! The amplified tone in newers were top of the game.
I think that there is no place but (USA? New york?) Were such a collection can be found.
And when i tried it with some polytone amp in that store "Walkin"... i couldnt believe it.