Gibson L-5 Premier vs LeGrand

**Danny W.** · 07-06-2016, 10:18 PM

When I was doing business with Gary he had been an authorized Gibson dealer. He'd order custom instruments and sell them for what was a reasonable price at the time, considering what they were. Some of my most beautiful guitars came from him, including a few that I still have. They've always been the the nicest examples of those models I've ever come across. A few of the guitars he sold me were unique, such as this one:

I've never bought any of his vintage stock, but then again, I've almost never bought any vintage guitars--they became vintage years after I bought them.

Danny W.

**jads57** · 07-06-2016, 11:09 PM

Well the good news is that every newer Gibson Archtop I tried at Dave's Guitar last year was excellent! That included many not even mentioned like a Thinline Super 400 Blonde. It really depends on what you expect to use it for as well. Acoustic playing vs. plugged in sound w/ a band? For me I like the smaller body, but I'm okay w/ a longer scale as well.

**Dennis D** · 07-07-2016, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by jads57

Well the good news is that every newer Gibson Archtop I tried at Dave's Guitar last year was excellent! That included many not even mentioned like a Thinline Super 400 Blonde. It really depends on what you expect to use it for as well. Acoustic playing vs. plugged in sound w/ a band? For me I like the smaller body, but I'm okay w/ a longer scale as well.

I agree - I played those same instruments, and they were excellent. And you could tell they 'were related' too !

That being said however, I don't think acoustic / unplugged is an option. I also believe Gibson management has decided that these archtops are always going to be amplified in some way.

Sort of like they decided: " OK - -you want acoustic ? - -here's acoustic - -our L-5 w/ no p/u at all. It's just as loud unplugged as our WesMo and BJB are when unplugged - - meaning not very ".

MHO ( still glad I got my WesMo ! ).

**jads57** · 07-07-2016, 01:29 AM

Well Gibson does carve their tops and backs thicker than a lot of modern archtop makers. But in fairness whenever say 2 humbuckers are directly mount on a top i.e L-5CES They are going to make the guitar sound less acoustic.
I have an Elferink Tonemaster 16&1/2" x2&1/2-3" body w/ a Kent Armstrong floater and it's thicker like the newer Gibsons. It sounds wonderful acoustically as well as plugged in. Frans Elferink advised me when ordering it I could install a humbucker later on w/out any problems if I didn't like the floater. So far I'm very pleased w/ it!

**Hammertone** · 07-07-2016, 02:24 AM

Plenty of superb acoustic archtops have thick tops.. Acoustic archtop volume is not about how thick the top is carved. It's about how skilfully it's carved.

**jads57** · 07-07-2016, 01:11 PM

That's true and agreed about volume. But it seems like the thicker tops like Gibson produce more mids for lack of a better term as opposed to say a flat top bottom and treble pronounced tones. One isn't better than the other just different and maybe more pleasing to someone. I prefer the Gibson thicker top tone w an X bracing (Johnny Smith)

**vinnyv1k** · 07-07-2016, 02:25 PM

I just bought the X braced blonde L5P/BJB for $8.1K from Rainbow. Overnight ship. Not a great price but don't forget their is a $1K upcharge for blondes with Gibson. I tried to get the LeGrand for that price and TMZ would not do it. Considering I spend 20 grand with them they should have thrown this dog a bone IMO.
I sent Rainbow a check so I should get it next week. It will be a ND without the G. Most I ever spent on a guitar for sure.
Stick a fork in me. I am done.

**Bluedawg** · 07-07-2016, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I just bought the X braced blonde L5P/BJB for $8.1K from Rainbow. Overnight ship. Not a great price but don't forget their is a $1K upcharge for blondes with Gibson. I tried to get the LeGrand for that price and TMZ would not do it. Considering I spend 20 grand with them they should have thrown this dog a bone IMO.
I sent Rainbow a check so I should get it next week. It will be a ND without the G. Most I ever spent on a guitar for sure.
Stick a fork in me. I am done.

Congrats!!!

And one less guitar at Rainbow to tempt me .... LOL

Hope this works for you

Did you talk to Harvey are one of his minions?

The guitar guys are pretty nice ... to me at least

**Stringswinger** · 07-07-2016, 03:31 PM

Congrats Vinny! A blonde L-5? Keep it long enough and it will be worth more than you paid for it.

Gibsons rule!

**vinnyv1k** · 07-07-2016, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bluedawg

Congrats!!!

And one less guitar at Rainbow to tempt me .... LOL

Hope this works for you

Did you talk to Harvey are one of his minions?

The guitar guys are pretty nice ... to me at least

Dealt with Harvey. Seems like a good cat. He is going to put a set of TI's on it so at least I won't need to change the strings first thing. So 3 blondes now. A S400, Wesmo, and a L5P. Big Bertha, Marilyn, and Gwen.

**Dennis D** · 07-07-2016, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I just bought the X braced blonde L5P/BJB for $8.1K from Rainbow. Overnight ship. Not a great price but don't forget their is a $1K upcharge for blondes with Gibson. I tried to get the LeGrand for that price and TMZ would not do it. Considering I spend 20 grand with them they should have thrown this dog a bone IMO.
I sent Rainbow a check so I should get it next week. It will be a ND without the G. Most I ever spent on a guitar for sure.
Stick a fork in me. I am done.

Congrats Vinny !! You've just bought a lifetime instrument !

And don't feel too bad at all about what you paid. It's not like there are naturals available on every street corner - or sb's either. You can always say : " I paid what it took ".

Play it in good health for a long time !

**vinnyv1k** · 07-07-2016, 03:47 PM

Thanks Dennis !

**Bluedawg** · 07-07-2016, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Dealt with Harvey. Seems like a good cat. He is going to put a set of TI's on it so at least I won't need to change the strings first thing. So 3 blondes now. A S400, Wesmo, and a L5P. Big Bertha, Marilyn, and Gwen.

A very nice collection .... I'm still dreaming of a Super 400

I've picked out which guitars to sell to help fund a Super 400 .... but I've been too lazy to do anything .. LOL

And now we are getting some major work done around the house in the next few weeks ... another excuse to delay

**vinnyv1k** · 07-07-2016, 06:31 PM

LeGrand alert ! Garrett from TMZ just emailed me some stunning pics of a brand new 2016 LeGrand VSB for $8250 if anyone is in the market for one. It is absolutely gorgeous. A day late for me. A flame monster with a beautiful spruce top.

**citizenk74** · 07-07-2016, 06:40 PM

Congratulations, Vinny, I am sure you have made the right choice. Play it in good health, and don't forget the pix!

**QAman** · 07-07-2016, 07:42 PM

Vinny,
Congratulations ! I'm happy for you. Buying new is a comforting feeling - especially if you have good vibes about the guitar / dealer.

I agree that TMZ should have definitely given you some further price reduction on the Lemonburst LeGrand. They just gave up an $8100 sale to a valued customer .

Wishing you many enjoyable hours of playing and I can't wait for the in hand review.

**Max405** · 07-07-2016, 09:09 PM

Vin, Very nice man. Congratulations. I'm happy for you.
No matter what configuration, L5's will always be good money, well spent.
Its gonna be beautiful. I am thrilled for you.
Joe D

**vinnyv1k** · 07-08-2016, 12:33 PM

Here is what is coming.Attachment 33340

**QAman** · 07-08-2016, 12:39 PM

Gorgeous Vinny !!

**Max405** · 07-08-2016, 01:15 PM

Elegance.. I'll bet that's what Grace Kelly looked like in her Loungerie..
Vinny that's beautiful. When you get it, play Stardust for your Mom..

**vinnyv1k** · 07-08-2016, 01:41 PM

Bro, my Mom's favorite song is "In the Garden". I think I play that song better than any other song.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-08-2016, 01:51 PM

Now you're talking Vinny. That's usually the first song I play on any new acquisition. My way of saying Thanks to The Big Man Above...

M

**Woody Sound** · 07-08-2016, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I just bought the X braced blonde L5P/BJB for $8.1K from Rainbow. Overnight ship. Not a great price but don't forget their is a $1K upcharge for blondes with Gibson. I tried to get the LeGrand for that price and TMZ would not do it. Considering I spend 20 grand with them they should have thrown this dog a bone IMO.
I sent Rainbow a check so I should get it next week. It will be a ND without the G. Most I ever spent on a guitar for sure.
Stick a fork in me. I am done.

I am confused. Didn't you say in your op that they were the same price? (Just wondering what changed, I haven't read the entire thread through.)

ps - I STILL would have gone with the LG

**vinnyv1k** · 07-08-2016, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I am confused. Didn't you say in your op that they were the same price? (Just wondering what changed, I haven't read the entire thread through.)

ps - I STILL would have gone with the LG

In the end they wouldn't throw me a bone on the LG till it was too late. The owner drew a line in the sand at 8.5 for it.
I got mad and bought the L5P. The next day I was offered the price I wanted on the LeGrand but it was too late.
I am really hoping the L5P is a winner. I really wanted the LG. I always shoot from the hip. I don't always hit my target.