2015 Gibson L-5 CES Sunburst

**rio** · 03-25-2017, 12:00 AM

Sounds good! Can't beat L5 tone.

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**cosmic gumbo** · 03-25-2017, 12:58 AM

Very nice ! Hope you find time to play it while curating your guitar museum.

**Flat** · 03-25-2017, 01:33 AM

2015 Gibson L-5 CES Sunburst-l5-introduction-5-jpg

Man, that is some kind of beautiful! You can almost hear four-part harmony just looking at those lovelies!

Congratulations on the new box! Long may she run!

**vinlander** · 03-25-2017, 07:48 AM

Congratulations on a gorgeous instrument, quite a progression since the Johnson

**Brian B** · 03-25-2017, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Emperor F? Mine is an Elitist Broadway. Those are, I think, a bit different, though not radically so.

Maybe over on your Emperor T thread?

(removes foot from mouth, brushes teeth....)

Very nice. I see the Elitist script on the truss rod cover now that you say... Yes, they are different. The Emperor F was sort of the forefather of the Elitist Broadway...sort of a warm up act, if you will. The Elitist line built upon these predecessors and refined the materials and build quality even further.

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

So here's a clip playing the solo we're learning over on the Robert Conti "Satin Doll" study group. This guitar can make even my playing sound pretty good.

I beg to differ...your playing makes your playing sound good. Well done.

**Woody Sound** · 03-25-2017, 11:22 PM

That sunburst is a gorgeous color.

**Archtop Guy** · 03-26-2017, 09:17 AM

Hi Lawson,The L5 is surely a beauty! Congrats. But,IMHO, that ES175 holds it's own against her. Perhaps because you're more comfortable with her.I'm sure that most members would consider the L5 superior. Which,for sure,she is the prettiest. But they are two different animals. Don't mean to bring down your NGD just stating my opinion. Enjoy them all. As we all will agree it's a fine collection you have there.

**feet** · 03-26-2017, 10:57 AM

seeing all those gibsons laying around on the couch gives me the weird urge to dive into them headfirst like a pile of leaves. i really have no idea why that was my first instinct.

also, i didn't know gibsons came in that finish. i thought wine burst was a heritage thing. maybe that's where it came from? at any rate, its a lovely looking guitar and you seem to make decent jazz noises on it.

i, too, would like to hear a comparison, as i found the last 175-ish comparison fascinating. thought the 175 was vaguely more acoustic/woody/snappy, the epiphone was louder and a little more electric, and the 165 was right in between, slightly favoring the 175. which is to say, not a whole lot of difference going on, from the listener's perspective. i would guess the difference between your new guitar and your others would be more of an in the hand/in the room sort of thing.

excited for you- enjoy!

**lawson-stone** · 03-26-2017, 07:07 PM

HEre's a run at "Here's That Rainy Day" in a really elementary chord-melody style, one take and upload sort of thing.

Playing through a Polytone Minibrute II. Volume/Tone at 10, amp EQ all flat at 5. Mic'd with a Bluebird microphone about 4 feet from the amp, and a direct from pre-amp line in the other channel.

Yes, this guitar makes even my playing sound pretty nice.

**lawson-stone** · 03-26-2017, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by feet

seeing all those gibsons laying around on the couch gives me the weird urge to dive into them headfirst like a pile of leaves. i really have no idea why that was my first instinct.

also, i didn't know gibsons came in that finish. i thought wine burst was a heritage thing. maybe that's where it came from? at any rate, its a lovely looking guitar and you seem to make decent jazz noises on it.

i, too, would like to hear a comparison, as i found the last 175-ish comparison fascinating. thought the 175 was vaguely more acoustic/woody/snappy, the epiphone was louder and a little more electric, and the 165 was right in between, slightly favoring the 175. which is to say, not a whole lot of difference going on, from the listener's perspective. i would guess the difference between your new guitar and your others would be more of an in the hand/in the room sort of thing.

excited for you- enjoy!

What exactly would you like compared? The L5 with the 175? I'm having fun getting to know this guitar and wouldn't mind making a few clips if you aren't too critical of the musician in the video!

**Max405** · 03-26-2017, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

HEre's a run at "Here's That Rainy Day" in a really elementary chord-melody style, one take and upload sort of thing.

Playing through a Polytone Minibrute II. Volume/Tone at 10, amp EQ all flat at 5. Mic'd with a Bluebird microphone about 4 feet from the amp, and a direct from pre-amp line in the other channel.

Yes, this guitar makes even my playing sound pretty nice.

Lawson, that was beautiful. The guitar sounds great and you sound fantastic playing it.
That was Johnny Carsons favorite song. One of mine too..
Nice going buddy. Joe D.

**lawson-stone** · 03-26-2017, 07:22 PM

Here's one more, "Misty" same drill.

**Max405** · 03-26-2017, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Here's one more, "Misty" same drill.

that was beautiful. Your L5 sounds just like Blacky.
One of the most beautiful songs of all time. Well done my friend.
Joe D

joaopaz · 03-26-2017, 08:46 PM

Hi Lawson!

I'm going with all the guys above. The guitar sounds gorgeous, and your playing makes it sound gorgeous. As good as a guitar may be it's just a slab of wood and wires if no one is playing it

Congratulations on the NGD and also on the great clips you just posted!

**lawson-stone** · 03-26-2017, 08:53 PM

You guys are very kind to a middling player. I almost feel drunk on the chords we use in this music, and played on a fine sounding guitar, you almost can't believe this is coming out of your own instrument.

I know the "masters" can make any guitar sound great. But I am no master. So I need all the help the guitar will give me!

This L5... it gives a LOT of help!

BTW I just strung it with TI Jazz Swing 13s yesterday before making these clips.

**rio** · 03-26-2017, 10:56 PM

Whoa. I never cared much for black guitars but that Wes is lovely.

Lawson, great to hear these clips. The L5 certainly does inspire playing, doesn't it? Almost a year for me and the new guitar feeling has gone but the drive to play it has not - it is probably the only guitar I have had that I can say that about. The normal drive to play is always there but hearing the L5 is an extra layer of wanting to play and practice.

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**Flat** · 03-26-2017, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

What exactly would you like compared? The L5 with the 175?

You weren't asking me, but that is exactly what I would love to hear. The two most iconic guitars of our idiom, I suppose. Someday when you've got time and feel like it.

**Archtop Guy** · 03-27-2017, 07:02 AM

Lawson-stone,Loved Here's that Rainy Day.You two are like lovers getting to know each other. And your playing is far from elementary! Thanks for the videos.

**vinnyv1k** · 03-27-2017, 02:31 PM

Lawson I listened to your 2 videos. You were absolutely meant to have a L5. Your tone and playing are delicious.

**lawson-stone** · 03-27-2017, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Lawson I listened to your 2 videos. You were absolutely meant to have a L5. Your tone and playing are delicious.

Vinny that is so kind of you to say. I appreciate the encouragement of a fellow Gibson Kool-Aid lover!!

**feet** · 03-27-2017, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

What exactly would you like compared? The L5 with the 175? I'm having fun getting to know this guitar and wouldn't mind making a few clips if you aren't too critical of the musician in the video!

i wouldn't mind hearing how the epiphone stacks up to the l5. though i know they aren't twinsies and there are variables. i'm enjoying the sound of the l5, though, i must say.

and though i don't really care for black guitars in general (i have two, and they are fine) i love black archtops for the same reason i don't really like black solidbodies. its just unusual and interesting on an archtop, where its just plain and correct and everyday-ish on a solid body. and tort guards on black guitars looks awesome. that should happen more but it doesn't.