Double-cutaway Gibson L-5?

**Hammertone** · 03-09-2014, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Scotto

Thats cool Hammertone, thanks for letting me nix your pic. Was there a price listed with this guitar by any chance?

The spec sheets were next to each guitar and did not have any pricing information.

**Woody Sound** · 03-10-2014, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Scotto

Attachment 11169 I saw this on the internet several years ago and instantly wanted one. Would love to see this new one in person.

Gibson meets George Harrison!

Double-cutaway Gibson L-5?-guitar-beatles-jpg

**David B** · 03-10-2014, 10:22 AM

Moffa offers the Maryan archtop with a double cutaway option. I think it looks rather stylish.

Double-cutaway Gibson L-5?-maryandoublecut1-jpg

Double-cutaway Gibson L-5?-maryandoublecut2-jpg

**Gilpy** · 03-10-2014, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

How about the "deep '335" (ES-150), and this DC '175?

Attachment 11162
Attachment 11163

Even though the ES 150 looks a lot like a deep 335, it's not. No center block, so it would be more similar to a double cut 175. I wonder what function a double cutaway would serve on a guitar that thick.

Back to the double cut L5, was the body on that 17"? It looks smaller, like maybe 16" in the picture

**Scotto** · 03-11-2014, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Gilpy

Even though the ES 150 looks a lot like a deep 335, it's not. No center block, so it would be more similar to a double cut 175. I wonder what function a double cutaway would serve on a guitar that thick.

Back to the double cut L5, was the body on that 17"? It looks smaller, like maybe 16" in the picture

At one time I was looking to pick up an ES 150 but the neck was too thin for me. I had a hard time trying to play octaves. I'm assuming the L5 is a 17" since they are calling it an L5. I've never seen a 16" L5, but then again, never seen a double cutaway until now. I agree, it does look a little small in the photo, maybe this is due to the cutaway.?

**Little Jay** · 03-11-2014, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

You know what's weird? That deep 335 looks great to me...

Not weird at all! I totally agree! Although I might be influenced by the fact that one my favorite players plays one regularly too:

(Dutch guitarist Jesse van Ruller)

**Scotto** · 03-11-2014, 11:59 AM

If you go to this video about the 3:35 mark, you can see a quick review of the L5.

**wintermoon** · 03-11-2014, 12:32 PM

I see they mentioned the new L-5P.
why in the world is Gibson using TOM's on acoustic guitars?
an all ebony bridge would certainly fatten up the sound.

**Hammertone** · 03-11-2014, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I see they mentioned the new L-5P.
why in the world is Gibson using TOM's on acoustic guitars?
an all ebony bridge would certainly fatten up the sound.

I thimk it's a Legrande thing. They should just ship these guitars with an ebony as well as a tune-o-matic bridge top - Hofner is doing that with the current Chancellor. I have found that they sound quite different, and I like both sounds. For the record:

**Danny W.** · 03-11-2014, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Scotto

I'm assuming the L5 is a 17" since they are calling it an L5. I've never seen a 16" L5, but then again, never seen a double cutaway until now.

In this thread you can see at least five of them:

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...-ish-tone.html

They are only 15.5", but why quibble?

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I see they mentioned the new L-5P.
why in the world is Gibson using TOM's on acoustic guitars?
an all ebony bridge would certainly fatten up the sound.

I try all my archtops with an ebony saddle and a TOM--some sound better with wood, some with metal. For the most part I prefer them whichever way they came from the factory, but not always.

Danny W.

**Patrick2** · 03-11-2014, 06:51 PM

Usually anything that Mark Lacey does rings my chimes. But, that guitar just doesn't do it for me. Why would he do a double cut deep body guitar and have the cut aways non symmetric?

I played one of his Imperials a bunch of years ago. One of the best guitars I've ever seen or played.

**chefothefuture** · 02-03-2015, 12:26 AM

Hi all,
Newbe to this forum, but not to others, and certainly not to playing.
I bought one and could not be happier. After wishing for Gibson to build
a production model like this, it was certainly worth the 30(odd) year wait.
A great balance of sustain and warmth.
I did not think I would like the thin body, but perhaps that is what gives it part of it's charm.
As for build quality- It is fantastic and a true credit to the art of the arch top.

Cheers,
chef

**Scotto** · 02-03-2015, 01:57 AM

Chef, show us a picture. I had the pleasure of running into a store in Tokyo that had both colors in stock. I think these are very cool to play as well... although waiting for a single pup version. Congrats on your purchase.

**chefothefuture** · 02-03-2015, 04:54 AM

Here are a couple of pictures then-

A few more will follow....
I actually thought about a single pickup version with an Alnico pickup in the middle position....

**Scotto** · 02-03-2015, 05:12 AM

sweet... Thanks for the pics!

**Woody Sound** · 02-03-2015, 10:02 AM

The heel is so long on most of these guitars, the double-cut is almost pointless. Except for the ES-150.

**Jimmy Mack** · 02-03-2015, 09:20 PM

I had an ES 150 in '72 -74. Played 5 nites a week on it. Never really bonded with it. The rest of the band and the singers liked it - it was the fullest sounding guitar they had ever heard. Nice for chording. Solo's just didn't sing, but that could have been me, and the amp choice.

I really wanted an L5 CES. Price then with a custom order was about $800 incl. case. I didn't have the gumption to spend that then. My college tuition was about $4-500 per semester.

If only that ES 150 had had a decent size neck, not a toothpick!

Ah, if only knew then what I know now. And back then, there was no Internet !

**Danny W.** · 02-03-2015, 10:24 PM

Early Barney Kessels had a long heel, later ones had a short heel. I've owned both types. Although the newer ones had better neck access, their necks didn't feel as stable, and they didn't balance as well seated. I much preferred my older one.

Danny W.

**rictroll** · 02-04-2015, 12:16 AM

OT I realize....but does anyone really think (that starting out) "Herbie Hancock was just like everyone else in Chicago"?

I'm thinking he was unique as a two-cell embryo...

**chefothefuture** · 02-04-2015, 02:06 AM

I love the long neck joint. I don't find it hinders access at all.
In fact, that was something that I really wanted when dreaming about it
for all those years.

**Phil in London** · 02-05-2015, 02:53 PM

2014 Gibson Custom Shop L5 Double Cut VSB Jazz Archtop Ebony Fretboard 482 New | eBay

**goldenwave77** · 02-05-2015, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

I think a florentine double-cutaway ES-175 would look sharp as hell in a thinline format.
Hofner did it in the 1960's with the Ambassador - a thinline, florentine double-cutaway, 16" President.

I might be wrong...but I thought I saw that instrument sitting in a stand at ..stately Wayne Mansion. (Maybe Alfred played it.)

**GNAPPI** · 02-06-2015, 12:37 AM

I think the DC wide body guitars are marvelous... so much so if I could wave a wand and turn all my Venetian and Florentine single cuts into DC's I'd do it in a heartbeat :-)

It just happens that my ES150 is one of my fave playing and sounding guitars... add the master volume and it fills every need I have.

**chefothefuture** · 02-06-2015, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I think the DC wide body guitars are marvelous... so much so if I could wave a wand and turn all my Venetian and Florentine single cuts into DC's I'd do it in a heartbeat :-)

Find a luthier with experience in archtops ;-)

**Patrick2** · 02-06-2015, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I think the DC wide body guitars are marvelous... so much so if I could wave a wand and turn all my Venetian and Florentine single cuts into DC's I'd do it in a heartbeat :-)

It just happens that my ES150 is one of my fave playing and sounding guitars... add the master volume and it fills every need I have.

MartyGrass recently picked up a very nice H550 double cutaway. He's got a great picture of George Benson playing the guitar he bought. If you haven't seen it, I'll ask him to post it here on this thread.