2014 'Burst Gibson L-5 WesMo

[Dennis D]

Yes I did !! Many thanks to all here for the replies and info. And a real thanks to Dave's Guitar. Those folks are super !
The photo is just me goofing on the Gibson Crimson cloth and Cert. of Authenticity, as well as a current ' family portrait.'

It's currently strung w/ round wounds and yes I'm getting that chimed effect. But there's some volume unamplified, which was a pleasant surprise.

So - tomorrow I call the luthier and make arrangements to take it in - -what are the things to try besides the 12/52 Chromes I already bought- -my preferred strings. Do we do strings, then saddles, then bridge or wait each time and do one at a time ? May need a saddle and or bridge part # and source, pls.

Thanks again.

[Greentone]

I'd be inclined to stay with the tune-o-matic, as it. Wes did. Depending upon what you are looking for in sound, I'd recommend (1) Thomastik-Infeld George Benson .12-.53 strings, or (2) Thomastik-Infeld Swing-Flat .13-.53 strings. They both sound great. The tension of the wound strings in the TI set is lower than the tension in the Chromes. (I used Chromes for about 25 years, but now prefer the TI strings by far--both for their feel and their sound.) If Gibson still made the real Sonomatic strings I'd still use them, but...

BEAUTIFUL GUITAR

[Greentone]

Hey, the two L-7 guitars are great, too!

[citizenk74]

Very nice selection of instruments you have there. Congratulations, and play them all in good health!

[Dennis D]

Hey, the two L-7 guitars are great, too!

Thanks a lot !

And FWIW, that '37 never leaves !!! And if that's the last guitar I ever play or get to hear that'll be fine too !!

[Dennis D]

I'd be inclined to stay with the tune-o-matic, as it. Wes did. Depending upon what you are looking for in sound, I'd recommend (1) Thomastik-Infeld George Benson .12-.53 strings, or (2) Thomastik-Infeld Swing-Flat .13-.53 strings. They both sound great. The tension of the wound strings in the TI set is lower than the tension in the Chromes. (I used Chromes for about 25 years, but now prefer the TI strings by far--both for their feel and their sound.) If Gibson still made the real Sonomatic strings I'd still use them, but...

BEAUTIFUL GUITAR

I may have to try those Swing Flats. I've resigned myself to do some experimenting with this, and taking the time necessary to get it right !

Thanks again !

[Headshot]

Those are sweet...makes my guitars look like 2 Squiers and a partscaster....

[EllenGtrGrl]

Ooh! VERY nice looking L-5 Wes Montgomery! I could defintitely get into play one!

As was also mentioned, the L-7s are cool too. My grandpa, had Epiphone's answer to the L-7, a mid-40s Emperor. My uncle (who also plays guitar) inherited it when grandpa died. I wish I was next in line for that guitar, but he never gives up a guitar, once he gets it. Either he sold the Emporor (he had some hard money times about 10 years ago), or heaven forbid, if he has it, my smart mouthed cousin (his youngest son), whose guitar playing ability basically consists of playing chinga chinga chinga to Foo Fighters songs, will inherit it.

[SamBooka]

here's a crazy idea, LaBella black nylon wound flats

[Greentone]

The LaBella strings are great, too.

[Stringswinger]

Congrats.

+1 on the TI swing series 13's. I use them on my L-5 WESMO and it works well.

(For the record though, Epiphone's answer to the L-7 was the Triumph. The Emporer was Epi's answer to the Super 400)

[Jabberwocky]

Great looking 2014 L-5CES Mr. Wes Montgomery, Sir (DG had it listed as a 2011?). Congrats. I just know that it is going to be great sounding too.

Show a photo of its back too, please. I love dealing with DG; its prices are always fair market value and not lessee-if-I-can-gouge-you. Condition rating is also conservative; the guitars often turn out to be better than described.

I agree with the suggestion to spring for a set of T-I JS 113, 13, 17-53, or T-I GB112, 12, 16-53. You could always buy T-I plain steels to swap out the gauges.

[Dennis D]

Great looking 2014 L-5CES Mr. Wes Montgomery, Sir (DG had it listed as a 2011?). Congrats. I just know that it is going to be great sounding too.

Show a photo of its back too, please. I love dealing with DG; its prices are always fair market value and not lessee-if-I-can-gouge-you. Condition rating is also conservative; the guitars often turn out to be better than described.

I agree with the suggestion to spring for a set of T-I JS 113, 13, 17-53, or T-I GB112, 12, 16-53. You could always buy T-I plain steels to swap out the gauges.

I asked about the year too - -and Dave had said the 2014 was ( and is ) correct and the Reverb listing was wrong. This particular one came from a recent buy but couldn't have been played much, if at all. The case was dusty, FWIW.
So far I've noticed a couple things - -one, that there's some Cremona Brown shading on the sides of the headstock. Maybe some hints of that color too on the back.
I haven't found any quality issues - at all !
Also, the bridge is solid ( not violin style) and I think ebony. It looks a lot like the one on my L-5 R/I. These two really sound similar but the Wes definitely has more bottom. It also has enough unplugged volume for me, although a string change may affect that.
Also, you do notice the weight. Mine may weigh 7.5 pounds. ( bathroom scale ). My L-7's don't even generate a reading on that scale. I've got a strap pin on the to-do list.
Otherwise for now, it's a keeper and a real buy !

[Dennis D]

Very nice selection of instruments you have there. Congratulations, and play them all in good health!

Thanks !!

[Max405]

Dennis,
That is the King of Jazz Guitars right there bud.
That's living the dream. The benchmark. I am so happy for you.

Have you ever felt a guitar to be so solid? One thing that is amazing is how the neck on the guitar will remain consistent from season to season. You will remove the truss rod cover only to look inside and make sure someone didn't steal your trussrod!

I love it. Its the pinnacle. There are more expensive guitars, yes. But there aren't many guitars that command the presence and are as desireable as the Gibson L5.

Enjoy it. And thank you for sharing with us.

Joe D.

[Archtop Guy]

Dennis, Great Wes! You'll love her. The blond L7c,is that a reissue?

[silverfoxx]

Dennis,
I share the same opinion as Joe here,
that the L5 is the ultimate instrument
I don't hanker after more expensive
Boutique Archtops either, having tried
a few there is no contest. It is
quite remarkable that L5's stay in
tune for an inordinate length of time.
The nearest instrument to it is a
Guild /Benedetto X700, superb also,
given the choice,the L5 always comes
out on top.
Enjoy many years of happy playing and
revel in the knowledge that you own the
very best guitar ,bar none.




Kind regards.

[Dennis D]

Dennis, Great Wes! You'll love her. The blond L7c,is that a reissue?

No, the blonde L-7 is an original from '52. It originally had a McCarty P/U on it which I had removed. It was basically unplayed - -a collector piece. I had been looking for a natural L-7 for a while and found this at Chicago Music Ex., and basically decided it was either buy that one or stop looking, 'cause I'd never find one any better !

FYI - -there's currently a blonde L-7 RI for sale at Cream City /Warp Drive. ( ' no affiliation ' )

[Dennis D]

Dennis,
I share the same opinion as Joe here,
that the L5 is the ultimate instrument
I don't hanker after more expensive
Boutique Archtops either, having tried
a few there is no contest. It is
quite remarkable that L5's stay in
tune for an inordinate length of time.
The nearest instrument to it is a
Guild /Benedetto X700, superb also,
given the choice,the L5 always comes
out on top.
Enjoy many years of happy playing and
revel in the knowledge that you own the
very best guitar ,bar none.




Kind regards.

Thanks !!
I am trying to get it the luthier asap, otherwise, however long it's in the shop will be too long.

[Dennis D]

Dennis,
That is the King of Jazz Guitars right there bud.
That's living the dream. The benchmark. I am so happy for you.

Have you ever felt a guitar to be so solid? One thing that is amazing is how the neck on the guitar will remain consistent from season to season. You will remove the truss rod cover only to look inside and make sure someone didn't steal your trussrod!

I love it. Its the pinnacle. There are more expensive guitars, yes. But there aren't many guitars that command the presence and are as desireable as the Gibson L5.

Enjoy it. And thank you for sharing with us.

Joe D.

Thanks Joe.

No I've never felt a guitar so solid. And I will say I was holding out for a used natural one, but they're not that readily available, and now that this one's 'home', the sunburst is absolutely not a problem. There are more Cremona shades present than earlier 'bursts - -the sides are definitely the Cremona color, which is more than fine with me !

Take care Joe and thx again !

[nopedals]

Another vote for the TI swings over the chromes. Not that the swings are *necessarily* better, but how would you know unless you have tried both? If you like the swings, try some AC111s on the L7s.

[jbucklin]

Absolutely beautiful. You done GOOD!!!

[Dennis D]

Another vote for the TI swings over the chromes. Not that the swings are *necessarily* better, but how would you know unless you have tried both? If you like the swings, try some AC111s on the L7s.

I may have to start w/ Chromes, only 'cause I bought a set yesterday....I did finally try D'Add Half Rounds on the blonde L-7 and so far have liked them !!! ( 12/52's )


Thanks !!!

[Ken Olmstead]

Congrats it is breath taking!! I have one shipping from Joe on Monday! Very excited to say the least!

Now to build some serious chops to justify the outlay!

[Dennis D]

Congrats it is breath taking!! I have one shipping from Joe on Monday! Very excited to say the least!

Now to build some serious chops to justify the outlay!

Good for you !