2013 Gibson LeGrand

**JazzNote** · 01-12-2017, 07:36 AM

The 2013 LeGrand from Kurosawa trading has just arrived. It's a beautiful guitar, in basically mint condition and even still got some of that "new-gibson-vanilla-smell". The only flaw i can detect is on the pick guard, but this appears to be a purely cosmetically irregularity of the material. I just tuned it up using the strings which were on (approx. 0.12 to 0.54 round wounds) and am very happy with the sound. I will change to TI swing 0.13 to 0.53 later and see what that makes to the sound.

Surprisingly the guitar was packed in just a regular Gibson carton, the case wrapped with some foam material, and inside the case additionally stuffed. The bridge stored separately in the compartment under the neck. Once more i consider myself to be lucky that it arrived undamaged.

The builders label says James D Cullen (if i read correct). Does anyone know who he is?
2013 Gibson LeGrand-legrand-jpg

**fabiansey** · 01-12-2017, 09:04 AM

Wonderful looking guitar-congrats. My 2015 L5 Wes is from the same builder.

**Max405** · 01-12-2017, 09:10 AM

Jazz Note,
Oh boy that is beautiful. Congratulations.
James Culberson is the name on the label. He's been overseeing beautiful Gibson's for a while now.
I am really interested in your thoughts on the guitar after the Honeymoon is over. I somehow think, it will never be..
Joe D.

**Meggy** · 01-12-2017, 09:12 AM

It's a real stunner! As a matter of interest, I wonder what the differences between a LeGrand and an L5 with a floater are?

**ThatRhythmMan** · 01-12-2017, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Meggy

It's a real stunner! As a matter of interest, I wonder what the differences between a LeGrand and an L5 with a floater are?

The most obvious differences are the tailpiece, as you can see, and the bracing. The LeGrand is x-braced and the L5 is usually parallel, though I think the L5 may also be x-braced sometimes. The LeGrand also is usually a little more upscale appointment wise. I believe the top on the L5 is normally thicker.

**Meggy** · 01-12-2017, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan

The most obvious differences are the tailpiece, as you can see, and the bracing. The LeGrand is x-braced and the L5 is usually parallel, though I think the L5 may also be x-braced. The LeGrand also is usually a little more upscale appointment wise. I believe the top on the L5 is normally thicker.

Thanks - always good to know these things.

**ThatRhythmMan** · 01-12-2017, 10:40 AM

I forgot to add that the dimensions of the LeGrand are also slightly smaller.

**lawson-stone** · 01-12-2017, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Meggy

Thanks - always good to know these things.

The L5 is typically parallel braced. I have a set of plans and they present parallel bracing. I would not be surprised if some X braced L5 guitars are out there, though.

**kkfan** · 01-12-2017, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan

I believe the top on the L5 is normally thicker.

That should give the L5 a slightly warmer tone acoustically, shouldn't it?

Gorgeous guitar, JazzNote. Congratulations!

**Bluedawg** · 01-12-2017, 11:37 AM

Beautiful guitar ... I've had one since 1994 and love mine

Mine is also a wonderful acoustic archtop

They seem to run on the bright side, but that's what gets the Johnny Smith sound IMHO

And as most of us already know the Le Grand is Gibson's replacement for their Johnny Smith model after JS moved his endorsement agreement to Heritage (and later returned to Guild)

Hope you like it

**JazzNote** · 01-12-2017, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Max405

Jazz Note,
Oh boy that is beautiful. Congratulations.
James Culberson is the name on the label. He's been overseeing beautiful Gibson's for a while now.
I am really interested in your thoughts on the guitar after the Honeymoon is over. I somehow think, it will never be..
Joe D.

Thanks Joe!

I think i'm so lucky to be able to get up in the morning and decide which of these wonderful guitars to play today. I've been playing the JS a lot lately and am surprised about the richness in overtones every time i pick it up. The "new" LeGrand is quite different from the JS but i've also fallen in love with it already. I certainly will let you know my thoughts.

**JazzNote** · 01-12-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bluedawg

Beautiful guitar ... I've had one since 1994 and love mine

Mine is also a wonderful acoustic archtop

They seem to run on the bright side, but that's what gets the Johnny Smith sound IMHO

And as most of us already know the Le Grand is Gibson's replacement for their Johnny Smith model after JS moved his endorsement agreement to Heritage (and later returned to Guild)

Hope you like it

Thanks Bluedawg!

LeGrands are not as bright as my 76 Johnny Smith which is a gorgeous guitar by itself. For practical reasons i prefer the LeGrands for gigging. They are smaller and therefore more comfortable for hours of playing, as well as easier to carry in my superlight Eastman fiberglass case.

**vinnyv1k** · 01-12-2017, 12:04 PM

a GREAT BIG CONGRATS ! Gibson's rule !

**Dennis D** · 01-12-2017, 12:19 PM

Congrats - - wow - and enjoy it !!

**BigMikeinNJ** · 01-12-2017, 12:47 PM

It's bloody gorgeous. Isn't the LeGrande essentially the Johnny Smith under a new name ??
WOW, just WOW !!!

**hotpepper01** · 01-12-2017, 01:48 PM

Awesome looking guitar. Congratulations, she is stunning. Woud love to see some more pictures from back, sides and neck etc.

**Stringswinger** · 01-12-2017, 01:51 PM

Congrats! Gibsons do, in fact, rule. Your new guitar is evidence of that.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-12-2017, 01:59 PM

Ha! Ha! Congrats, Jazznote.

Glad it arrived safely in your Swiss canton from Japan. James D. Culberson is one of the top-guns in the Gibson Custom Shop crafting archtops.

**wintermoon** · 01-12-2017, 04:46 PM

"I would not be surprised if some X braced L5 guitars are out there, though."

for the purposes of this thread which I believe is referring to electric models, yes parallel.
the orig acoustic 16" version was parallel, then most Gibsons switched to X bracing w/the advanced 17" and 18" models from mid '34-mid '39.
acoustics and electrics have remained parallel since mid '39.

**wintermoon** · 01-12-2017, 04:55 PM

nice looking LeGrand Note.
check the string/bridge position, it looks like the bridge is positioned a tad too much to the right as the string angle from the t.p. of the low E appears straight, while the high E is angled a bit too much. this is partially attributed to the tailpiece mounting in relation to the neck mount.
I've seen many Gibsons, especially modern ones where the t.p. is mounted a little askew. sometimes it's so drastic that even the down pressure and tension of the strings won't hold the bridge in the correct position. The very first L-5 I owned, a 70s blonde model was mounted so bad the only recourse was to either remount the tailpiece or perform a neck reset, I had to sell it. I only own one modern Gibson and it has this issue as well, though not as drastic..
enjoy....

**JazzNote** · 01-12-2017, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

It's bloody gorgeous. Isn't the LeGrande essentially the Johnny Smith under a new name ??
WOW, just WOW !!!

Yes, bloody gorgeous! Tough they were meant to be a kind of continuation of the Johnny Smith's under a new name the LeGrands are guitars in their "own right". 25,5 scale, slightly smaller body and shorter headstock resulting in shorter overall length make them sound quite different

Originally Posted by hotpepper01

Awesome looking guitar. Congratulations, she is stunning. Woud love to see some more pictures from back, sides and neck etc.

Thanks hot pepper! More pics will follow.

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Ha! Ha! Congrats, Jazznote.

Glad it arrived safely in your Swiss canton from Japan. James D. Culberson is one of the top-guns in the Gibson Custom Shop crafting archtops.

Jabs thanks - if it were not for your much appreciated help this guitar would still sit in Yokohama and never had made its way here.

Originally Posted by wintermoon

nice looking LeGrand Note.
check the string/bridge position, it looks like the bridge is positioned a tad too much to the right as the string angle from the t.p. of the low E appears straight, while the high E is angled a bit too much. this is partially attributed to the tailpiece mounting in relation to the neck mount.
I've seen many Gibsons, especially modern ones where the t.p. is mounted a little askew. sometimes it's so drastic that even the down pressure and tension of the strings won't hold the bridge in the correct position. The very first L-5 I owned, a 70s blonde model was mounted so bad the only recourse was to either remount the tailpiece or perform a neck reset, I had to sell it. I only own one modern Gibson and it has this issue as well, though not as drastic..
enjoy....

Thanks wintermoon!

When mounting the bridge after unpacking the guitar i was careless enough not to place the bridge accurately (i just placed it on the "pale" area about where it must have been before) since i knew i'd change strings within the next day. I even have not adjusted the intonation so far, just wanted to find out how it sounds asap. I did notice when "noodling" around that the strings are not in the center, will correct this when setting it up with the TI's. The slight angles of the TP fingers will most probably disappear then.

**rabbit** · 01-12-2017, 08:00 PM

Scrumptious!

Congratulations & enjoy in good tone!

**2bornot2bop** · 01-12-2017, 08:05 PM

James R. Culberson succeeded Jim Hutchins in signing off on certain guitars when Hutch passed away.

Gibson Custom Crimson Division?

Congrats on landing the LeGrand. She's a natural!