1940 Gibson L5N

**Fred Archtop** · 05-31-2017, 05:43 PM

Dear all,

I was in Paris yesterdays, just to watch around for archtops in my prefered guitar shops.

I tried first an L5CN from 1968. Great but not that great, far below my L5C from '53. They had also an ES 175 from 1955, with 2 P90s, natural finish. Great great, really.

I was about to leave when the guy heiled me and took out something special from a brand new case. I was expecting a newly built Gibson or something.

But man....There was this L5N from 1940 inside the case.

1940 Gibson L5N-img_0433-jpg

Gorgeous guitar with an INCREDIBLE ACOUSTIC SOUND. Best acoustic archtop I've ever tried. Some nicks but nothing bad, I would say VG+.

Now I cannot sleep anymore. Gasp, big GAS attack. Not sure what to do...

Cheers.

**Stringswinger** · 05-31-2017, 05:51 PM

Buy it. If you do not, it will haunt you.

**feet** · 05-31-2017, 05:57 PM

how many kidneys do you really need?

you don't eat *every* day, do you?

i normally advocate logic and reason, but that's a one of a kind thing you probably won't come across again. consider your options carefully. maybe you can sell something else? payments?

**ruger9** · 05-31-2017, 06:44 PM

Holy jehoshaphat!

**rabbit** · 05-31-2017, 06:52 PM

Golly!

**helios** · 05-31-2017, 07:23 PM

The 1940's--Back from the time when there was plenty of great spruce to pick from!

Falling a giant spruce, 1941. (U.S. Forest Service)

**QAman** · 05-31-2017, 07:26 PM

Fred Archtop,
If that guitar moved you - just buy it. I've passed up a few good ones over 38 years - but I've learned not to let that happen anymore . If you have something to sell , just get this guitar - you'll regret letting it go .

**Max405** · 05-31-2017, 07:38 PM

Fred,
The only down side to that guitar is you won't be able to play YES's "Long Distance Runaround" in the proper octave with it.
Kidding aside, if you were in the market for an acoustic archtop when you walked into that store, then you can't do better than that. That looks like an Ameritage case too. I wouldn't mind living in that case.
Whatever decision you make, just don't let it strap you down.
Good luck buddy, Joe D

**Dennis D** · 05-31-2017, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Fred Archtop

Dear all,

I was in Paris yesterdays, just to watch around for archtops in my prefered guitar shops.

Now I cannot sleep anymore. Gasp, big GAS attack. Not sure what to do...

Cheers.

Fred I can't think of a story with any more 'magic' - Paris, and finding that guitar there.

It will be the story you tell your grandchildren. I can't blame you at all for not being able to sleep.

Please let us know if you can find a way to buy it. I'd be very surprised if it weren't a keeper.

And you'll always be able to say you found it in Paris.

" The stuff that dreams are made of ".

Good luck Fred.

Dennis

**darkwaters** · 05-31-2017, 08:29 PM

Everyone has regrets. This could be yours.

**WillMbCdn5** · 05-31-2017, 08:44 PM

Wow beautiful guitar !!!!!! I'm curious would it have had a pick gaurd originally or no?

Will

**deacon Mark** · 05-31-2017, 08:52 PM

Maybe the Lord is speaking to you, remember the feast of Pentecost is Sunday. Pray that you make the proper choice to leave it alone or buy.Hey, a guitar like this you need divine guidance. Remember the Deacon says this.

**rlrhett** · 06-01-2017, 12:23 AM

I probably have the least GAS of anybody. After all, if I want it, i make it. That one I would buy. No doubts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**fws6** · 06-01-2017, 02:17 AM

I dont agree. Youd be crazy. I have seen that guitar at RF Charle when I was in Paris 3 weeks ago, and like you said is in good condition but not spectacular or anything. Tailpiece (insert) also looked funny. No guard no case and asking was a staggering 12,000 € (i.e. 13,500 in US$) . That is just an insane price.

**cmajor9** · 06-01-2017, 03:28 AM

Somehow I don't think you were expecting the voice of moderation from the forum :>)

But if the asking price is as fws6 says, that is ridiculous, even though the guitar looks great. You can find 40's or even 30's Gibsons for less. For example, there's a terrific 1935 Super 400 (that I've played) going for 11,5 here in northern Germany:

Gibson Super 400, 1935, Jazzgitarre/Archtop in Altona - Hamburg Ottensen | Musikinstrumente und Zubehor gebraucht kaufen | eBay Kleinanzeigen

**Ray175** · 06-01-2017, 03:39 AM

Fred,
What should you do? Easy question - just tell me which shop it's in and I'll buy it in the next 2 hours - a 30% reduction can probably be negotiated

**Drifter** · 06-01-2017, 04:30 AM

In that price range some real beauties can be found. Another fine example:

1947 Gibson Super 400 - Sunburst ....Mint !!!-Vi47GiSu400SBA703

**Fred Archtop** · 06-01-2017, 06:09 AM

Thanks to all,

Both for your funny, anthousiatic, resonable, supportive, etc. responses.

Thank you, I mean it really.

PS: in any case, I'll keep my 2 kidneys for sure.

**Dennis D** · 06-01-2017, 08:57 AM

" $13, 500, US " ??......

At that price you just wave good-bye and say " A tout a l'heure'....

..trans. - (( ' see ya later ' ))

**Fred Archtop** · 06-01-2017, 09:50 AM

At that price ...there will be no deal...

"A tout à l'heure" is way to cordial. "Adieu" would be more appropriate.

Thanks for your return.

**Little Jay** · 06-01-2017, 10:33 AM

$13,500?!?!?!

Je ne suis pas complètement maso.......

**wintermoon** · 06-01-2017, 10:45 AM

I think it has an Ibanez/Japanese tailpiece.
the tuners are rare metal button Kluson Sealfasts that were an option @ the time, though there is a mish mash of chrome and gold ones on the guitar now.

I think FSW6 just wants you to buy his non cut in the for sale section

p.s. maybe you should

**fws6** · 06-01-2017, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I think it has an Ibanez/Japanese tailpiece.

I didnt look at the guitar after I had heard the price but remember it didnt look right

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I think FSW6 just wants you to buy his non cut in the for sale section

p.s. maybe you should

spot on George ! You got me there

In all honesty, though, I can understand easy enough that people would prefer a crack-free blonde example over my fixer upper burst

i just think 12k€ is a bit too much

**wintermoon** · 06-01-2017, 11:39 AM

"In all honesty, though, I can understand easy enough that people would prefer a crack-free blonde example over my fixer upper burst"

maybe not Frank, yours is around 1/2 the price.
yours has had repairs, but has the sound.
since you played both how do they compare?

**Fred Archtop** · 06-01-2017, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the tips about the tailpiece. It looked weird with that white central block. Now the Ibanez origin makes all things clearer.

I cannot say for Frank's one that I didn't try. But that blonde has a great great acoustic sound. Typically mounted for swing/big band context. All these "one note chords alla Freddie Greene" were just shinning out of her.

By the way, I've met there in the guitar shop a guy called Randy Klimpert who writes chronicles for vintage guitar magazine. I've heard later that this guy is a collector with hundreds of guitars and many more ukuleles. He's told me "buy it, it's a killer sound".

I confess that Frank's model is very cool, and, as for me, honestly priced (contrarily to the blonde...). But I would have to try it before considering anything serious. I don't buy guitars that I cannot try seriously. I happen to go to NL from time to time (especially to D. Slaman workshop) but not in that period. I hope Frank will find a buyer.

Best to you.