Gibson L-5 - 1991 Jim Triggs or a new Crimson Collection model?

[louisguitar]

Hi all,
It's arrived the moment to buy the L5 and I would like to know what do you think about these two guitars:
a 1991 natural in unplayed condition with a spectacular figures maple or a recent Crimson model.
Naturally I will play them, but I would like to know your opinion.

Thanks

[citizenk74]

Disclaimer: I've never seen an L-5 in the flesh, let alone owned or played one. That said, if all other factors are equal, I'd take the Triggs in a heartbeat. His reputation is that of one of the finest builders of our time. I'm sure the newer Gibson is a fine insrtument b-u-t....
There are many lucky L-5 owners here whose opinions are much better qualified than mine who I am sure will be glad to advise you. Good luck with your decision.

[ThatRhythmMan]

My sample of Triggs is limited to one, but I have played several recently made L5s. The Triggs is a spectacular guitar. Only one of the recently built L5s comes even close in my opinion (I currently have that one for sale).

I would lean toward the Triggs based on that, but again my Triggs sample is of one guitar only.

What model is the Triggs?

[plectrum99x]

Hi,
I am fortunate to own both a Triggs New Yorker Special (recent vintage) as well as 2 Gibson (crimson shop) L5's and one vintage L5CES from the 1980's. While I love the Triggs (has a floating PUP) and would not part with it, it sounds nothing like the Gibson L5's. The Gibbys are heavier, and aside from tone just feel completely different. I think you would have to play them both and decide which is the best match for you based upon tone, esthetics and playability, the Triggs being generally brighter sounding than the L5. But I can't tell you that one is better than the other ... just different. Since you referenced "recent L5 builds," I should mention that mine are as follows: 1985 L5 CES, 2013 L5 Wes, 2014 L5 CES.

Oops! Ho sballiato. Pensavo che la Triggs era tipo fatto per John dopo il suo tempo a Gibson.

[Archtop Guy]

Louisguitar, I believe that the forum would like some photos of the two pieces that you are considering. After all, looks do count to.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Agree with Archtop Guy, like the crusty old curmudgeons on the cigar bb's say: if you got no pictures it didn't happen...
Show us this beauty already. Had a chance last year to sweep up a Triggs and went for something else. Looking around and looking back I wish I had taken both.

It's all about what works for you. Not us, not anyone else is playing it but you. Do what makes YOU happy, it's supposed to be fun.

[jads57]

Always comes down to the 2 guitars themselves and your personal likes and dislikes. That said I'm a fan of the newer Crimson Gibson Archtops. Some of the best Gibson has ever made. Love everything but the sticker price,LOL!

[ptchristopher3]

I do not find myself believing in the personal star quality of a factory built guitar, but would go for the older guitar just to stay away from the modern very sticky Gibson finish.

One opinion. Others are untroubled by the current soft finish.

Chris

[Bluedawg]

My understanding of the OP is that the "Triggs guitar" is a 1991 Gibson L5 built by Jim Triggs (and his custom shop team) while he was still with Gibson

The Crimson Gibsons I've encountered have been great guitars that I wanted to take home with me ...

But a Jim Triggs Gibson sounds like a good buy as well

If you can play both let the guitar decide for you ...

without first hand experience with the guitars I would be inclined to go with a Triggs Gibson

[JazzNote]

I think you are lucky to be in the position to play both. Before you do so, it does not really help thinking about it a lot. Once you know how they sound and feel the decision might fall naturally. If not you will have to decide by rational thinking like price/value.

A blonde 1991 Gibson L5 in mint condition built by Jim Triggs sounds very tempting if the price is right, but after i have experienced a significant difference between a 1998 Gibson LeGrand which is a very good sounding guitar and a 2013 Gibson LeGrand which sounds (and feels) even better, i don't believe in "older is better" anymore.

Good luck with the decision. Being myself a fan of spectacular blondes i hope for you that the 91Triggs feels and sounds so great that the decision will be easy.


And yes, pics would be great!

[louisguitar]

Yes, it's an L5 labeled by Jim Triggs with the tailpiece in metal and wood.
He started building instruments over 35 years ago. Prior to working for Gibson in 1986, Triggs, who was a respected mandolin builder in the Midwest and on the West coast, had already built between 130-150 mandolins.

Jim was hired at Gibson to work in their world famous custom shop. His first duties included getting their F-5 mandolins back to their 1920’s specifications. Jim’s other responsibilities at Gibson included supervising the custom shop and running their Nashville artist relations department. During his last tenure at Gibson Jim spent his time overseeing the archtop guitar line. In his six years at Gibson, Jim worked on over 20 art instruments and signed the labels of over 700 guitars and mandolins.

Jim left Gibson in the spring of 1992 to build guitars on his own.

I can find some Used Crimson collection L5 but the Triggs L5 that I can buy is alone.

This is the link of the Triggs:GIBSON L5 CES - #5067976 - su Mercatino Musicale in Chitarre Elettriche

[Bluedawg]

Yes, it's an L5 labeled by Jim Triggs with the tailpiece in metal and wood.
He started building instruments over 35 years ago. Prior to working for Gibson in 1986, Triggs, who was a respected mandolin builder in the Midwest and on the West coast, had already built between 130-150 mandolins.

Jim was hired at Gibson to work in their world famous custom shop. His first duties included getting their F-5 mandolins back to their 1920’s specifications. Jim’s other responsibilities at Gibson included supervising the custom shop and running their Nashville artist relations department. During his last tenure at Gibson Jim spent his time overseeing the archtop guitar line. In his six years at Gibson, Jim worked on over 20 art instruments and signed the labels of over 700 guitars and mandolins.

Jim left Gibson in the spring of 1992 to build guitars on his own.


I can find some Used Crimson collection L5 but the Triggs L5 that I can buy is alone.

This is the link of the Triggs:GIBSON L5 CES - #5067976 - su Mercatino Musicale in Chitarre Elettriche

If the Triggs includes a trip to Firenze (Florence) that sounds like both a great road trip and a great guitar

Have some gelato and hot chocolate for me while you are there

[louisguitar]

I'm Italian...

[louisguitar]

But I live about 450 kilometers away from Florence.

[JazzNote]

But I live about 450 kilometers away from Florence.

The L5 looks gorgeous!

I would try to collect as much information about the guitar as possible (and high res pics) from the owner before going there, this way you reduce the risk of traveling 900km in vain. How is it set up, what's the action, are there any structural issues, how does it play in the high register, were there any repairs and so on. The definition of mint varies from seller to seller, there are sellers who describe guitars as mint even though there is a crack in the top (and later claim they didn't see ...)

If everything sounds fine hurry up to be not too late ;-)

[Bluedawg]

But I live about 450 kilometers away from Florence.

So 450 km at 130 km per hour on the Autostrada would take about 4 hours or so.

Worth the trip IMHO before you spend 7000 Euro on a guitar

[Ol' Fret]

Justifiably Jim Triggs is seen by some as the archtop Spiritus Rector of what I call "Gibson II"; he was still quite young in 1986.
A guitar and mandolin maker, IMO, is always welcome. Not too easy to bring out really nice trebles on plucked instruments of the size of a violin.
Here a glimpse of my Triggs, a really great guitar at 19".




Naturally, there are alternative names.







It seems to me a little acknowledged fact that there is much less productive substance in a time period than is generally assumed. Furthermore, that art is much rarer than it seems. This illusion is connected with the widespread fallacy that culture, civilization, education, and art are fundamentally identical. Art, however, is an isolated phenomenon, individually infertile and monomaniacal. That determines its rank. Therefore, wherever art is suspected, you should protect it. - Gottfried Benn

[louisguitar]

I must confess that I already own a 2013 ES175 vos and a 1995 acoustic Collings AT17.

[louisguitar]

I must confess that I already own a 2013 ES175 vos and a 1995 acoustic Collings AT17.

[vinnyv1k]

It really doesn't matter who's name is on it. Every guitar must be graded individually. Even the greats like D'Angelico, D'Aquisto, or Hutch put out some less then stellar Guitars. JT is a great guitar builder but every guitar he built isn't necessarily going to be the greatest guitar ever made just because his name is on the label. Don't base your decision on who signed the label. Just like car motors from the same manufacturer. One can never burn a drop of oil and the other you may need to add a quart every 1500 miles. Chances are they are both great Guitars. Not too many really bad L5's in the world.

[BigMikeinNJ]

The wood on that one is a monster !!! WOW !!! Take the wife on a road trip and go play it, have a little stay over and breakfast and once you've slept on it decide if you are going to buy it...

[Jabberwocky]

It even looks Italian with that sunkissed ruddy Meditarranean tan.

Worth a 900km round trip to check it out. Time to take that Maserati out on the autostrada, Louis.

[oldane]

Justifiably Jim Triggs is seen by some as the archtop Spiritus Rector of what I call "Gibson II"; he was still quite young in 1986.
A guitar and mandolin maker, IMO, is always welcome. Not too easy to bring out really nice trebles on plucked instruments of the size of a violin.
Here a glimpse of my Triggs, a really great guitar at 19".

Jim Triggs is a great guitar maker. He's very accomodating to customer wishes. His prices are more reasonable than one would expect from a builder of his status. He's one of the few who makes a 19" archtop on request. I have one too - which I have set up for 4-to-the-bar rhythm playing with high action and all. Many here have seen it before, but there may be some newcomers to the site:

[plasticpigeon]

That is one PHAT fiddle!

[Archtop Guy]

Hi Louis guitar,Beautiful woods on that 91'. If you go to check her out,the store also has an Elferink that was recently offered for sale on the internet. Can you check that one out while you're there please? Good luck with your quest.