Gibson Archtops returning 2026?

[wintermoon]

Are those tuner buttons plastic on that L-5 prototype?

First thing I noticed too.
Top of the line Gibsons haven't had them since the plastic button Kluson Sealfasts in the early 50s.

[deacon Mark]

The bridge does not have the usual inlay either and I have to say just in the picture something does not look quite right.

[garybaldy]

The bridge does not have the usual inlay either and I have to say just in the picture something does not look quite right.

Yeah, who uses the bridge pickup and a Mesa?

[wintermoon]

The bridge does not have the usual inlay either and I have to say just in the picture something does not look quite right.

Rosewood too.
Holy 1947 Batman, don't tell me the board is rosewood too. Must be the lighting, right??

[vinnyv1k]

It is supposed to be a late 50’s reissue. Note the period correct flower pot gaps and trussrod cover. The rosewood bridge base is also 50’s correct. I will buy one. I dig the yellowed binding.

[wintermoon]

It is supposed to be a late 50’s reissue. Note the period correct flower pot gaps and trussrod cover. The rosewood bridge base is also 50’s correct. I will buy one. I dig the yellowed binding.

yes but no plastic button tuners in the late 50s

[Archie]

yes but no plastic button tuners in the late 50s

It’s a “Gibson reissue", not a reproduction.

[vinnyv1k]

I actually like the plastic buttons - no gold that just wears off.
I always liked the tuners on my 175.

[wintermoon]

I actually like the plastic buttons - no gold that just wears off.
I always liked the tuners on my 175.

Plastic buttons are fine depending on what tuners they're attached to.
I don't care about playing wear.

[2bornot2bop]

I actually like the plastic buttons - no gold that just wears off.
I always liked the tuners on my 175.

What?! You mean you don’t turn your tuner’s with white gloves V?

[Jabberwocky]

They appear to be (different photo from the same post that shows the headstock more clearly): https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram...DA&oe=69814E3B

That said, with it being a prototype, I suppose hardware touches like that are still subject to change.

She can do the thumbover...and I can't! I have Small Hands! I have Small Hands!

[Jabberwocky]

Are those tuner buttons plastic on that L-5 prototype?

First thing I noticed too.
Top of the line Gibsons haven't had them since the plastic button Kluson Sealfasts in the early 50s.

The bridge does not have the usual inlay either and I have to say just in the picture something does not look quite right.

Yeah, who uses the bridge pickup and a Mesa?

Rosewood too.
Holy 1947 Batman, don't tell me the board is rosewood too. Must be the lighting, right??

yes but no plastic button tuners in the late 50s

And the edge of the treble bout's F-hole binding looks 5.5mm or 1/4 inch thick!

[Jimmy Mack]

Quote: "She can do the thumbover...and I can't! I have Small Hands! I have Small Hands!"

Maybe the neck is tiny? Like the 60's Gibsons!

Some of the shortcomings will keep the price $2 lower.

[Hammertone]

Plastic buttons are fine depending on what tuners they're attached to. ...

Kluson Sealfasts look great on a Super-400 or Johnny Smith headstock, but IMO they look oversized on the smaller L-5 headstock. In the 1970s, Gibson raised the tuner hole spacing a bit closer to the top of the headstock, which puts Sealfasts too close to the top edge. They started using Schaller M-6 tuners shortly thereafter. I prefer Kluson wafflebacks.

[Stringswinger]

She can do the thumbover...and I can't! I have Small Hands! I have Small Hands!

Joe Pass had small hands and did not do the thumb over. And Joe played better tham anyone before or since with the possible exception of Wes.

[Archie]

Joe Pass had small hands and did not do the thumb over. And Joe played better tham anyone before or since with the possible exception of Wes.

You think old ‘metronome’ Joe was better than George Benson!

That’s not a question

[starjasmine]

Daring to return to the original topic: I haven't heard anything from Gibson about archtops in the NAMM 2026 youtube shill.
Caveats:

• I didn't go to NAMM
• I haven't watched every Gibson shill reel.
• I also have not read all 300+ posts in this thread, so apologies if someone has covered this...

Did anyone get a chance to actually ask a Gibson rep about archtops in 2026?

[lawson-stone]

Joe Pass had small hands and did not do the thumb over. And Joe played better tham anyone before or since with the possible exception of Wes.

It's seldom mentioned, but Joe's actual technique is immaculate. You can tell he started with classical, Carcassi, I think. His left hand is always positioned "by the book" and he never seems to have to jump or stretch. He always seems to already be where he needs to be. Playing fingerstyle, he doesn't prop on his pinky, playing the pick he doesn't prop. Sometimes watching video of him i get so fascinated by just how "proper" his physical technique is I almost... only almost... forget about the music.

[Stringswinger]

It's seldom mentioned, but Joe's actual technique is immaculate. You can tell he started with classical, Carcassi, I think. His left hand is always positioned "by the book" and he never seems to have to jump or stretch. He always seems to already be where he needs to be. Playing fingerstyle, he doesn't prop on his pinky, playing the pick he doesn't prop. Sometimes watching video of him i get so fascinated by just how "proper" his physical technique is I almost... only almost... forget about the music.

Indeed. But I am not sure that the word immaculate is a good choice in relation to Joe Pass. Joe's playing was pretty damn ballsy!

[AllanAllen]

I like the plastic tuners more than the gold ones. When the gold wears off it looks dingy. I’m not interested in a busted looking $5k+ guitar.

Road wear is for solid bodies.

Since you all wanted my opinion