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Guys
Picked this one up from Rudy's last week.
Restoration done by Cris Mirabella.
I spoke with Cris for about an hour or so this week and we went over the details. All original save the nut and pickguard.
I absolutely love the deep V neck.
So it's Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson on the stereo today.
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11-10-2013 11:09 AM
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Just an absolutely gorgeous instrument. To hold such history in your hands must be a wonderful thing! I've long admired Chris Mirabella's work. If I am ever able to have a custom instrument made, he is quite high on the list.
Congrats in a beautiful guitar!
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Jeeezus. What a beauty! I'm in love.
The original flaming chalice (now called the flowerpot) inlay looks righteous and intricate with a well-aged amber tone. It looks really simplified today on the L-5CES.
Enjoy her in good health. This one is a keeper.
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I'm a make a bold statement, but here goes:
Ca. 1930's L5's are the best looking guitars ever made.
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I think you are correct Mr. Beaumont, this guitar is absolutely beautiful. Can't even imagine how good it sounds.
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A bold statement, yes, but one that is hard to argue against
Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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I played an old L5 a year or so ago at Caravan guitars. It sounded just like my Loar Lh600...jus with, y'know. ..more of...everything.
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I'm looking forward to hearing more about it - strings, setup, tone, and perhaps a duel on "April Kisses" one day soon?
It looks totally FABULOUS!! And now you are more than a guitar owner; you are a caretaker. Congrats!
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Thanks for the nice comments, guys. I appreciate it.
My "wife" saw it and giggled and said it "looked like the other ones."
Well, at least she found it amusing, right?
For what it's worth, Jab: the blonde bikini-clad gardener seemed to like it- even though she had a few glasses of wine in her at the time...
Roger - I will post some comments/reflections on it soon and send over a clip of April Kisses or another EL tune.
Chris
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Hello,
congratulations Teleluckyman3726+
Is it the photo shot angle,
it looks like the nut is compensated ?
Christophe
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There's just nothing like a Gibson L5 . . . from any era. But, there's something very special about a derivative and direct descendant of Loar's mid '20s L5. Yours is a beautiful example. Congrats!!
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I knew that there was a blonde reference hidden in there somewhere... Originally Posted by teleman3726
Cris Mirabella did a bang-up great job restoring her. The Cremona Teacup Burst finish is impeccable. I get goosebumps just looking at your pictures. Can't imagine how she'll sound.
This is a great buy and as rpguitar says, she has chosen you as her steward and caretaker. Lucky you.
Hark, looky here: http://www.prewargibsonl-5.com/rudys-new/4580762333 .Last edited by Jabberwocky; 11-10-2013 at 03:22 PM.
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Wow! Congrats!
I was expecting to see one of the RI, then I looked at the pics and saw that this one had too much vibe and mojo to be one of them.
It may "look like the other ones", but only at first glance. L-5 are beautiful and extraordinary. Not like any other guitar. There are good reasons why they are so iconic.
I look forward to read more about it after you get to know it better.
Enjoy!
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Congrats that s a beauty
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I agree w/Jeff, the 16" L-5 is one of the coolest archtops ever made, as well as being the first true jazz guitar w/f-holes.
All the archtops that have come since owe a debt to Mr. Loar et-al from Gibson in the early 20s.
My first vintage guitar all those years ago was a 1930 L-5, I still remember how stoked I was when I got it.
This was in the years when vintage guitars were very hard to find and if you heard of one for sale people snail-mailed pix to each other.
The early L-5's have an understated elegant simplicity to them, and the snakehead peghead is not only cool but functional as the string angle breaks w/out obstruction from the other tuner posts.
Enjoy that one man.....Last edited by wintermoon; 11-10-2013 at 11:17 PM.
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Wow, the sheer beauty of that is one of the reasons I play guitar.
I know some of you will think that implies I'm a total gear nut and can't play a lick, but, really, I could've learned to play sax, and the L-5 is why I didn't.
Beautiful. Beautiful. Take care of it for all who listen, all who follow you.
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Please post more pictures... of the gardener, I mean...
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Yeah, I have been to ask you that as well... Originally Posted by jasaco
Please post more pictures... of the gardener, I mean...
This Thread Is Meaningless Without Pictures...of the gardener.
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Well, I'll do my best. It is getting a little chilly here, so I'll have to think of other ways to get the gardener over to play the L5 in her bikini. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Suggestions, guys?
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Absolutely amazing.. what a great instrument. Allow us some vicarious enjoyment tele.. more pics.
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Might I suggest a fake photo shoot? You know, "the girls of jazz guitar", or "the gardeners of jazz guitar", or whateverthehell you need to come up with. Just hurry up and DO it, fercryinoutloud... Originally Posted by teleman3726
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I can offer no alternative to the statement "best looking guitars ever made". A beautiful example, simply stunning. Enjoy!
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Oh my thats an eye catcher!
Congratulations on acquiring such a fine looking L-5.....and the restoration looks true and well done.
Bet it sounds wonderful too.
z
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Jabberwocky; I'm glad that I found another jazz forum member that agrees with me that the headstock emblem Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
was a flaming torch symbol..not the so called "flower pot" that Gibson online literature call it now.
Sheesh..is nothing sacred? How can one even imaging a "flower pot" on the the headstock of the most famous
jazz guitar that Lloyd Loar ever came up with for Gibson.
The L5 deserves the respect and dignity of a flaming torch/chalice that symbolized it as the ELITE of all jazz guitars..every model and make that followed after, including the custom luthier creations are simply imitations,
while good on their own, are still the best form of flattery.Last edited by Daniel Kuryliak; 11-11-2013 at 11:28 AM.
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In 1966, while working and teaching at my guitar teachers studio where we sold Epiphones, we were very lucky to order a Johnny Smith L5 for one of our advanced students. His parents were fairly well off and they bought it for him because he was doing so well in his studies. Originally Posted by Patrick2
It took about a year for it to come in and when it did..WOW!..words could not describe the beauty and workmanship in this L5. It was a dream come true for me to hold it briefly and play it. Digital cameras weren't around then and neither were personal computers..so that moment in my life is now only in the corner of my mind.Last edited by Daniel Kuryliak; 11-11-2013 at 11:39 AM.
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