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Royce Campbell plays a '70 or '71 L-5CES. (His other guitar is a Benedetto Manahattan.) I have heard him play both. The 70s L-5 is a great sounding guitar. He played it for 19 years in Henry Mancini's orchestra. (Lotta miles on that guitar.)
Here is Campbell playing "Moon River":
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03-06-2017 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Greentone
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I have an early 70s L-5. It's a beautiful instrument having kept most of the features of the 60s ones, but it is quite heavy at 8lb 2oz!
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Really enjoying hearing from all of you. So much good sense, well stated.
And proud to be a member of the L5 club!
People talk about "this year" and "that year". The "years" only influence prices and features.
I admit that my (Gibson arch top) passions are aroused due to owning a fine one. But, I don't buy guitars just to buy them. I used to when I found a good deal.
But boy....there are lessons to be learned there! I bought a '65 Gibson Johnny Smith once when it was available for a great price. From an "ace" guitarist. Great wide neck, but it just didn't make music for me. Cold and harsh it was. Other JS's I played seemed the same as mine. Sold it and lusted for an L5.
Played a few of those and found a '68 that was so sweet sounding, I could not afford it. So I kept the passion, and finally found one, that, I swear found me. A sweet deal, so, out came the credit card.
It's a great one, Norlin, volute, and very alive.
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It's a great feeling isn't it? It does feel like the guitar finds you when it is "right" and you just know that you don't have to look any further.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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avoid years are like avoid notes
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You are right Rio. But the more you go strolling throughout the guitar shops, the more guitars will "find" you, and me!
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Their are really no good or bad years just good or bad guitars. I have played many L5's in my life. I don't recall ever playing a really bad one. Different voices yes but never a really bad sound.
I will say this....most prefer the sound of the CES but I have always preferred the sound of the Wesmo more not to mention I am not a bridge pickup user. The CES sounds thunkier but that's what a 175 is for.
I know DB wants a 70's and the oldest Wesmo you can get is a 1993.
I know the old growth wood and old lacquer formulations are supposed to be better but I have played some newish L5's that sounded pretty darn good too. Yes the newer ones are heavy tanks but extremely durable.
Regardless of the year if you want a good one you will need to pay in the 5-6K range. Top of the food chain axe.
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Originally Posted by QAman
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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03-09-2017, 08:07 AM #36Dutchbopper GuestOriginally Posted by vinnyv1k
I test drove a mid 90s L5 Wesmo a few years ago (even did a video with it) and was very unimpressed at the time. But it had wrong strings on it. So at this stage I am not even sure an L5 is what I really want. Maybe a CES is better than a Wesmo for me. I need da thunk you know.
DBLast edited by Dutchbopper; 03-09-2017 at 08:48 AM.
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Buy one from the Uk, before we leave the EU!
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Originally Posted by plasticpigeon
Robert
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House of Lords are trying to make sure there are all sorts of sensible amendments to the bill, such as letting EU citizens already here stay here, and allowing parliament a final vote, but the Government are playing hardball. Sad times I think.
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Originally Posted by plasticpigeon
Robert
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Gibson has finally out priced themselves. Dealers cannot get the MAP pricing and are being forced to sell new Gibson's as used to move them. Also Gibson dealers are dropping like flies. I think Gibson is slowly turning back to a buyers market instead of a sellers. Be patient DB as I do believe the prices will improve and as the market saturates the pricing will continue to drop.
This year CME was selling 175's, 335's, 345's, for near 1/2 price new w/ warranty so I do believe the good deals will be coming. Gibson is in trouble. Naturally when new prices drop, used should follow suit. LOL in your quest.
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Keith
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Those un-flamed backs display the silking of perfectly quartersawn wood. The pieces would be strong, yet flexible, and resonant. Very nice wood. Congrats!
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I just traded my ES175 for a 1976 L5 so I hope I'm happy. I was born in 76. It arrives tomorrow
Gibson L-5 CES 70's Sunburst Beautiful | Reverb
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That is a great price. I'm curious to hear what you think of it next to the 175. When I was doing my "which nice guitar do I get" last year I ultimately decided on a '70 L5 because it was in a store only 90 minutes away but if it were a 175 in that store I would have probably had that instead and I still wonder what it would be like playing one. I have a lawsuit 175 but some day I will inevitably get one I am sure. I am very happy that I ended up with an L5 though. A lifetime guitar for sure and very inspiring.
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Originally Posted by abelljo
I love the 70's ice-tea ? sunburst. IN fact, I just love those early Norlin, God help my soul, I love them.
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Jimmy D'Aquisto was quite adamant to me that non flamed maple sounded better. Also it takes lacquer better. Flamed maple can do funny things when lacquer is applied to it. You can get a real nice smooth finish on plainer maple. Not always the case with flamed.
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Originally Posted by abelljo
Enjoy! JD
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Here's my 1972 next to an epiphone Broadway. Lovely guitars, L-5 is a lot heavier.
Peter Sprague & Leonard Patton "Can't Find My Way...
Today, 07:47 PM in The Songs