Gibson L-5 with rosewood fretboard?

[jim dandy]

I noticed a 2012 L5CES with what looks like a rosewood fretboard on ebay (I have no affiliation with seller, I'm just someone in the market for an L5-CT).

When did Gibson start making L5s with rosewood fretboards? I don't recall seeing this very often. Does anyone know how often they use wood other than ebony on the L5 fretboards?

[Woody Sound]

I noticed a 2012 L5CES with what looks like a rosewood fretboard on ebay (I have no affiliation with seller, I'm just someone in the market for an L5-CT):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Gibson-...p2056016.l4276

When did Gibson start making L5s with rosewood fretboards? I don't recall seeing this very often. Does anyone know how often they use wood other than ebony on the L5 fretboards?

I don't know about recent productions, but some instruments near the wartime had rosewood.

[wintermoon]

1946-1949

[fumblefingers]

where have you been?

after Obama took their wood.

[jzucker]

where have you been?

after Obama took their wood.

gibson was importing wood illegally. They paid a fine and had the non illegal wood returned to them.

Don't blame obama for illegal greed.

[fumblefingers]

I'm with Bob Benedetto on this. The amended lacy act should be changed, it's bad law. obama changes bad law with dispatch - like the ACA. And he selectively enforces others. Yeah, I blame him and his lead butt, socialist, power hungry, bureaucrats.

[Chazmo]

Hey Fumblefingers,

I must be great to have one person to blame for everything. Don't like the weather? Blame it on the U.S. President. He probably heads up some secret cabal that manipulates the climate in a nefarious attempt to achieve total world domination.

[jzucker]

I'm with bob Benedetto on this. The amended lacy act should be changed it's bad law. Obama changes bad law with dispatch like the Aca. And he selecttively enforces others. Yeah I blame him and hid lead butt, power hungry bureaus.

except he doesn't make law. Congress makes law. And we all know what this is about "ebony" in one way or another...

[PTChristopher2]

Fumbles,

Do we really have to wallow through this again with you?

100% clear that you have political views. Can you stay with guitars here and take the politics elsewhere.

[DRS]

Interesting that the Black Ebony Crimson L5 has a rosewood board. Maybe to match the tortoise pick guard.
It's still a stunning guitar.

[Patrick2]

While fumblefinger's post does have a politically connotative flavor to it . . he's pretty much correct. After the infamous raid, Gibson was avoiding any and all ebony, even more so than the Democrat senators whose terms are up and need to run again in November are avoiding talking about Obama Care. (lololol . . sorry, I just couldn't help myself . . lololol) So then, forgive the bad political joke . . and check out this thread from TGP. Question asked to, and answered by a Gibson cust svs guy . . Thornton?? . . that Gibson did in fact take a brief step away from ebony until the dust settled. Also, they have an offering that I think they're calling their "Crimson" line, which does feature an L5 with a rosewood FB. I posted a photo of it a few day back.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archive/index.php/t-1221185.html

[PTChristopher2]

Thanks for steering back to guitars and wood.

>>> forgive the bad political joke . .

Har-har. It was not bad at all, and a joke is easily distinguishable from an ass-hat political rant (from either side of the aisle).

[jim dandy]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm not trying to stir things up. I'm really just trying to get educated about Gibson's current L5s offerings since I am considering buying one. I haven't really looked at higher end Gibson archtops in about 10 years, and it seems that some things have really changed since then (fretboards and finishes, at least).

Patrick2 - thanks for the link! Very informative. Not being able to get a new L5 with an ebony fretboard would be a deal breaker for me. Does anyone know if they switched back to ebony yet? Also, does anyone know if they ever used laminated ebony on the freboards? I know they did with rosewood.

So, to get a little off topic (since I started the thread, it should be ok ), any recommendations of other brands/makers where I can get a guitar with the L5CES tone, with a solid ebony fretboard, a traditional non-rubbery/sticky nitro finish, and around a 2.5 inch body depth?

[PTChristopher2]

>>> any recommendations of other brands/makers where I can get a guitar with the L5CES tone, with a solid ebony fretboard, a traditional non-rubbery/sticky nitro finish, and around a 2.5 inch body depth?

Hi Jim,

In my opinion many are very wed to their interpretations of guitars (and apparently of law as well).

So I think there is a significant "only an L5 sounds like an L5" view out there.

Or "only a 25.5 scale sounds like somethingorother".

I am of the opinion, that strings, picks, playing style, the amp, etc. can make one L5 sound sound nothing like another. And that there are maple-topped guitars, 24.75 scale guitars, and other variations that can get you to the big-box sound.

Does it have to be new?

Have you talked to any luthiers who build archtops?

Have you tried things like an LS-17 to test the open ears waters?

Have you considered a Guild X-500 for lush-o-sity?

And what about the 700 different Heritages all called Eagle-something?

Does the budget narrow the options?

Chris

[2bornot2bop]

So I think there is a significant "only an L5 sounds like an L5" view out there.
Chris

I've only had 3, but count me in that crowd too.

BTW, I'd walk a mile to own that black L5CES...reminds me of Ms. Black Tie Affair in my avatar.

[jzucker]

of course your tone will change when you vary the pick, amp, fingers, playing style, etc. But if you start with an L5 it'll sound like an L5. If you start with a 24.75" guitar with a plywood top, it'll never cop the L5 tone.

>>> any recommendations of other brands/makers where I can get a guitar with the L5CES tone, with a solid ebony fretboard, a traditional non-rubbery/sticky nitro finish, and around a 2.5 inch body depth?

Hi Jim,

In my opinion many are very wed to their interpretations of guitars (and apparently of law as well).

So I think there is a significant "only an L5 sounds like an L5" view out there.

Or "only a 25.5 scale sounds like somethingorother".

I am of the opinion, that strings, picks, playing style, the amp, etc. can make one L5 sound sound nothing like another. And that there are maple-topped guitars, 24.75 scale guitars, and other variations that can get you to the big-box sound.

Does it have to be new?

Have you talked to any luthiers who build archtops?

Have you tried things like an LS-17 to test the open ears waters?

Have you considered a Guild X-500 for lush-o-sity?

And what about the 700 different Heritages all called Eagle-something?

Does the budget narrow the options?

Chris

[jzucker]

i'm of the opinion that if you want an L5 tone, get a gibson or heritage. I'm sure some of the custom luthiers can do L5s too but why pay more for something that may or may not sound like an L5. Just get the L5 or the Heritage eagle.

IMO of course.

[fumblefingers]

Fumbles,

Do we really have to wallow through this again with you?

100% clear that you have political views. Can you stay with guitars here and take the politics elsewhere.

zucker started it. pay attention. i stated a FACT, in answering a question. it was his administration.


fyi - not all law is "politics", but selective enforcement of law usually is. no one is more political than obama. he's accountable for his actions, not me.

jack zucker has 100% transparent political views too. i have a long memory. he jumped right in to defend obama. i had no narrative other than the fact prior to that.

[fumblefingers]

Hey Fumblefingers,

I must be great to have one person to blame for everything. Don't like the weather? Blame it on the U.S. President. He probably heads up some secret cabal that manipulates the climate in a nefarious attempt to achieve total world domination.

no, i blame all leftists, he's just the egomaniac in charge. it goes with the territory. he's proud of what he does. you are too. that makes you simpler than me.

[jzucker]

how do you block someone in this forum?

[fumblefingers]

except he doesn't make law. Congress makes law. And we all know what this is about "ebony" in one way or another...

not altogether true. the president signals what he will support/sign, and he signals what he will veto. it doesn't get any more powerful than that.


i noticed you didn't address him changing the ACA at whim multiple times purely to save other Democrats' hide in upcoming election cycles, and i noticed that you didn't address his selective enforcement of (1) immigration laws and (2) marijuana laws. why jz?

and i remember your unsolicited Bush bashing on this very forum.

[Patrick2]

This is going places it needs not to go to. Guitars . . . guitars. . . guitars. That's the focus. Let's bring it back there.

[Jabberwocky]

how do you block someone in this forum?

Click on the charmer's forum handle to "View Profile". Under the left sidebar, there is an option which says "Add to Ignore List".

Done.

[Patrick2]

Blocking ff would be a mistake. He's an out spoken and opinionated guy . . (unlike myself) . . but, he's more often than not substantive. I've got no problem with him. I think he's kinda cool. If you find him to be offensive . . let him know. He'll dial it back. We're all friends in a tight knit community. Let's act like it.

[jzucker]

click on the charmer's forum handle to "view profile". Under the left sidebar, there is an option which says "add to ignore list".

Done.

thank you!!!!