Info About Acoustic Gibson L5

[Hammertone]

Another option is the L-7C reissue - an acoustic arch top guitar that combines some of the features of the pre-war Advanced L-7 and L-12 with some post-war features of the L-7P. These have been made for the past few years in limited quantities in Bozeman Montana, and are not impossible to find at reasonable prices. Here's one I got from one of the good folks here - it sounds great to me:

[FatJeff]

Wow!! I am very jealous of that L7!!

[gcb]

Seen two of them (used) at Gruhn's page last week

[kamlapati]

I've played some modern L-7Cs and really liked them, but Gibson very rightly doesn't market them as reissues. They say "based on an L-7 of the late 40's". The main difference is the x-bracing (sort of like some from the late 30's, but different) and the thinner, more modern neck. Mr. Hammer, I'd love to hear more about yours.

[Hammertone]

Some interesting features:

- 24 3/4" scale, like pre-war Advanced L-7/L-10/L-12/L-5
- mahogany neck, like pre-war Advanced L-7/L-10/earlier L-12
- flat heel, like pre-war Advanced later L-12/L-5
- x-bracing & double-hump arch, like pre-war Advanced L-7/L-10/L-12/L-5
- Sunburst finish on back/sides/front, like pre-war Advanced L-12/L-5
- Bound head w/crown inlay, like post-war L-7
- Double parallelogram MOP fingerboard inlays, like pre-war Advanced L-12/post-war L-7
- Nickel-plate hardware, like post-war L-7
- Arching profile near cutaways is P-style
- No indents at sides of tongue for a fingerboard-mounted pickup, like pre-war
- fairly lightweight instrument

Sounds like an acoustic archtop, fairly close to my pre-war Advanced L-12.

The neck on this one is not slim or modern. It is full without being chunky.
It goes from a soft "V" at the nut to a soft "V" at the 12th fret.
1.72" at the nut.
Larger neck than many '30's Advanced L-7/L-12/L-5 guitars I have played.
Larger neck than some '50's L-7/L-5 guitars I have played, smaller than some others.