2012 Gibson L5CES w/ Rosewood fretboard - what's your max pay for this archtop?

[Jabberwocky]

Jab, I wrote to that guy last week and got a real reply with his personal email address, and an image URL with lots of photos:

imgur: the simple image sharer

I was ready to drive out there and snap it up, but I'm being financially smart and avoiding the urge. I have four L-5s already and they do the job (and then some).

It is also offered here for $7500: 1997 Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 CES VSB Carved Jazz Archtop Guitar Pup L5 11 | eBay . Sounds a lot more plausible. Same pix and all. The ebay seller, phazyme, is reputable and has been re-selling Gibsons of all stripes for years on ebay and he is in Princeton, NJ., not Chelsea, NYC.

Here is the ad I am convinced is a scam: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/4541250391.html .

[2bornot2bop]

Well looks like you got your figure Bop,

$4500-$5000

Yes, I did...About where I anticipated the figure would be. Thanks to all

It is also offered here for $7500: 1997 Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 CES VSB Carved Jazz Archtop Guitar Pup L5 11 | eBay . Sounds a lot more plausible. Same pix and all. The ebay seller, phazyme, is reputable and has been re-selling Gibsons of all stripes for years on ebay and he is in Princeton, NJ., not Chelsea, NYC.

Here is the ad I am convinced is a scam: 1997 GIBSON WES MONTGOMERY L5-CES VSB CARVED JAZZ ARCH .

I don't get it. What's the point of copying photos of a guitar for sale on ebay to list on craigs when you don't have the guitar in possession for anyone to drop by to play, much less buy...what's the point, beyond wasting time?

BTW, thanks for the info on the fretboard...I was clueless about that...so Gibson not only used laminated rosewood? Are you kidding me? That's as bad as the ebonite, or ebonlite, ebonlike, whatever the heck it was. Darn that FBI!

oh, and btw2, the sellers bottom is $5800...he says he bought it at a guitar show...perhaps Dave blew it out to him...the seller buys archtops nationally.

[wintermoon]

"I don't get it. What's the point of copying photos of a guitar for sale on ebay to list on craigs when you don't have the guitar in possession for anyone to drop by to play, much less buy...what's the point, beyond wasting time?"

the point is to get that one eager shmo to send the scamo money and get an empty guitar box in the mail--if that.

[2bornot2bop]

I just spoke to Dave's. They recall "that black L5CES had a solid rosewood fretboard." And apparently there's a book that refers to it as solid rosewood...I didn't ask what book they used for reference. Perhaps I should have....

[GoergeBenson]

Yeh laminate Rosewood, what a hoot!

Now we can all have a debate on what sounds better, laminate pressed vs solid carved

[AlsoRan]

Jab, I wrote to that guy last week and got a real reply with his personal email address, and an image URL with lots of photos:

imgur: the simple image sharer

I was ready to drive out there and snap it up, but I'm being financially smart and avoiding the urge. I have four L-5s already and they do the job (and then some).

My computer folder with guitar photos runneth over!

Really nice photos.

[jasonmi3]

So, although L5CES' sell on average for more than L5 Wes' you'd pay less than what you'd pay for an L5 Wes?

Yes, because I can't see what I'm getting and the natural beauty of what I assume is a real nice piece of wood is hidden. The Rosewood fingerboard also cheapens the look of an expensive guitar. If that L5CES was a sunburst, natural, or even wine red (where the natural grains are visible but usually command less than a sunburst or natural) I would have expected to pay more than I paid for the L5 Wes. Before I purchased the L5 Wes I was going to purchase a wine red L5CES for $5K but was about 2 days too late :-(.

[Woody Sound]

Well I don't like it, but I must admit that a white-bound black archtop would look cool with a tux.

[Hammertone]

A white-bound black archtop would indeed look cool with a tux. Some are heavier than others:

[2bornot2bop]

Yes, because I can't see what I'm getting and the natural beauty of what I assume is a real nice piece of wood is hidden. The Rosewood fingerboard also cheapens the look of an expensive guitar. If that L5CES was a sunburst, natural, or even wine red (where the natural grains are visible but usually command less than a sunburst or natural) I would have expected to pay more than I paid for the L5 Wes. Before I purchased the L5 Wes I was going to purchase a wine red L5CES for $5K but was about 2 days too late :-(.

Today, meaning the past 6 months, the least expensive L5CES I've seen sell was in the area of $6k, and that's the only one Ive seen. Most are $7k used. Like the 2013 Sunburst on archtop.com @$7k.

Prices 2 years ago were less....but that's now irrelevent, for today's prices are what matters. WesMo's are almost a dime a dozen and available at $5k and less...I've had a WesMo and CES already....I hated the WesMo...bright central....sold it quickly....different guitars for different folks...no shame in that. Whatever floats your boat.

[jasonmi3]

Today, meaning the past 6 months, the least expensive L5CES I've seen sell was in the area of $6k, and that's the only one Ive seen. Most are $7k used. Like the 2013 Sunburst on archtop.com @$7k.

Prices 2 years ago were less....but that's now irrelevent, for today's prices are what matters. WesMo's are almost a dime a dozen and available at $5k and less...I've had a WesMo and CES already....I hated the WesMo...bright central....sold it quickly....different guitars for different folks...no shame in that. Whatever floats your boat.

Uh...okay...Sounds like you don't need any of the validation you seem to be seeking and go ahead and purchase that Black L5CES with the Rosewood fingerboard and enjoy it!!!

[2bornot2bop]

Uh...okay...Sounds like you don't need any of the validation you seem to be seeking and go ahead and purchase that Black L5CES with the Rosewood fingerboard and enjoy it!!!

Validation wasn't my motivation for creating the thread. But it's always nice to have others feedback.

2b has never been one for approval seeking, least not where buying another archtop is concerned

[Phil in London]

there was this one rather recently - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Gibson-...-/161350807094

Seems to have sold under 5k US$. Another one sold on a Danish website around the same mark, if one eliminates VAT and customs effects.

[2bornot2bop]

there was this one rather recently - 1976 Gibson L 5 CES Wine Red Vintage Jazzbox Hollowbody | eBay

Seems to have sold under 5k US$. Another one sold on a Danish website around the same mark, if one eliminates VAT and customs effects.

Yes, that one had a minimum $2k discount because it was physically abused...that, and it was a mid 70's model...if that guitar wasn't so blemished that well known re-seller (dealer), would likely have priced that L5CES at $6500 minimum and promoted it as a "vintage" guitar.

As it was, he priced it to move, aka "blowing it out!"

[wintermoon]

if you like red, this one was advertised many times until it became "no longer available"

Vintage 1976 Gibson L5 CES L5 L 5 L 5 CES Hollowbody Electric Guitar | eBay

[Phil in London]

Yes, that one had a minimum $2k discount because it was physically abused...that, and it was a mid 70's model...if that guitar wasn't so blemished that well known re-seller (dealer), would likely have priced that L5CES at $6500 minimum and promoted it as a "vintage" guitar.

As it was, he priced it to move, aka "blowing it out!"

Well, as to the condition of the red lady, I assume we have all seen better ones, as well as worse.

Here is a 2006 almost mint one that went for 6k USD just now: http://www.12fret.com/content/2014/0...-ces-sunburst/

Looking at this deal, why would anybody even consider 5k USD for the ebony version.

[fumblefingers]

We have the lawsuit L5s,

and now we have have the Amended Lacey Act L5s, eh? Or the Fish, Game and Wildlife L5s. Or the Obama L5s.

heck I don't know what to call these fugly things Can you guys help?

[Hammertone]

As previously suggested, throw a little black wood stain on that rosewood and it's all good.

[2bornot2bop]

if you like red, this one was advertised many times until it became "no longer available"

Vintage 1976 Gibson L5 CES L5 L 5 L 5 CES Hollowbody Electric Guitar | eBay

"no longer available" is otherwise known as: sold off of feebay.

[wintermoon]

"no longer available" is otherwise known as: sold off of feebay.

ya think?

;^)

[Broyale]

Though a bit crass, What Fumblefingers said was relevant to the pedigree of THAT particular L5.

[Jim Soloway]

I would only suggest this guitar for someone who was sure that they meant to keep it for a very long time. It has multiple features that could make reselling a very difficult task regardless of price. I personally like black guitars but in my experience it is one of the most difficult finishes to sell. I also prefer rosewood fingerboard but there are a lot of buyers who expect ebony on an L5 and visually I think there's little question that ebony matches up with a black gloss finish better than rosewood. None of this would matter much to me. I'm playing a guitar everyday these days with a black gloss finish and a rosewood board but it was an inexpensive guitar. I sure wouldn't want to be selling one again if there was a significant amount of money involved.

[Patrick2]

I would only suggest this guitar for someone who was sure that they meant to keep it for a very long time. It has multiple features that could make reselling a very difficult task regardless of price. I personally like black guitars but in my experience it is one of the most difficult finishes to sell. I also prefer rosewood fingerboard but there are a lot of buyers who expect ebony on an L5 and visually I think there's little question that ebony matches up with a black gloss finish better than rosewood. None of this would matter much to me. I'm playing a guitar everyday these days with a black gloss finish and a rosewood board but it was an inexpensive guitar. I sure wouldn't want to be selling one again if there was a significant amount of money involved.

Hmmmmm . . . . .

[fumblefingers]

Whether we like it or not there is just no getting away from how and why that rosewood fingerboard got placed on that Gibson L5.

.....


Decades from now it will have to be explained to collectors who are wondering "hey, why did that period include so few guitars, and with rosewood fingerboards at that?" Hopefully by then, people won't be so defensive.


I assess this guitar to be roughly the same as the Norlin period guitars, although the black paint makes it even less desirable.

I sold my 1979 L5CES (Norlin era) for $3,500 about 12 years after I purchased it at $1,750. I think I sold at the right time. I would hate to compete against guitars such as these. Looks like Gibson is back to making some very sweet archtops.

Gibson Custom Shop Guitars | The Music Zoo | 1 of 9 Pages

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/2...Bourbon-Burst/

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/2...uitar-Natural/

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/2...Ice-Tea-Burst/

[wintermoon]

dang!

btw, I've been meaning to tell you for awhile.
this isn't English class, but if you're gonna drink it at least spell it right.

champagne

.....that is unless you're in Illinois