1940 Gibson L-5

[BigMikeinNJ]

The box somehow went to Indianapolis and then here by truck, but it got here. It's safely warming on the bed in the Wicker Room (what my Mom called it because all the furniture is white wicker). The box is cold so it will rest closed up until after dinner, about 4 hours, and then I'll go from there. No sense rushing it...

[Max405]

Try this..

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[BigMikeinNJ]

Thanks buddy

[Max405]

Thanks buddy

You got it my man. It sounds great.
Joe D

[BigMikeinNJ]

Far nicer in person than the pictures which seemed to emphasize roughness that is not apparent in hand. You decide.
Unpacked and warming in the office, the coolest room in the house.

Enjoy

[BigMikeinNJ]

And as I would have said when I was much younger "I wouldn't kick it outta bed for eating crackers"

[BigMikeinNJ]

Furthermore,

[Steve Z]

Love it! A vintage L5 in blonde is on my dream list of guitars. Keep strummin'!

[Fred Archtop]

Mikey,

She is gorgeous and sounds very much like mine. Naturally compressed sound and wonderful mediums. These prewar L5 are so good! She's definitely more than a player. Lots of mojo. Tailpiece might well deserve a restauration.

Strangely, the flower pot on the headstock has the same design on mine with the upper part detached from the bottom. Maybe they were crafted by the same guy...



Have fun playing her.

Cheers.

[citizenk74]

I bet it sounds as good as it looks, Big. Congratulations on its safe receipt, and play it in good health!

[ThatRhythmMan]

Strangely, the flower pot on the headstock has the same design on mine with the upper part detached from the bottom. Maybe they were crafted by the same guy...



Have fun playing her.

Cheers.

Is that not standard for the era? All of the ‘35-‘41 L5s I’ve seen looks like that.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Well here ya go, my 1939 L5P and my 1940 non cut... slight differences. These were done BY HAND correct ??

I did wait until about 9pm and tuned her up - played her about half an hour. She is really sweet and when I pushed her loud as can be... At some point I may (MAY) put a pickup on her but I have so many other floater guitars I think not. This will be my acoustic (meaning non electric) porch guitar.

[Woody Sound]

Here's me with mine. Late 70s?

[BigMikeinNJ]

indoor with flash

[Fred Archtop]

Here is the headstock of my L5C from 1953. I thought it was the normal patern for the flower pot (more condensed) but I might be wrong.



Cheers.

[Donnie]

Well done- love the sound of these Gibson's; the looks scream confidence and history. I often wonder "who played you, what songs did you play, what groups did you play a part in?" I look at my LT-5O and wonder about that. I see where the finish on the neck is a bit worn, and there's a place the player's arm rested on the top, leaving a little shinny spot from the oil on his/her skin; all that makes me smile and the smell of hide glue, HAVE MERCY!

[BigMikeinNJ]

Well done- love the sound of these Gibson's; the looks scream confidence and history. I often wonder "who played you, what songs did you play, what groups did you play a part in?" I look at my LT-5 and wonder about that. I see where the finish on the neck is a bit worn, and there's a place the player's arm rested on the top, leaving a little shinny spot from the oil on his/her skin; all that makes me smile and the smell of hide glue, HAVE MERCY!

r

I hear ya... My '39 really smelled like a smoky bar - it sat in it's case in a closet for 50 years after the owner passed. It had such mojo and the patina was really YELLOW. The guy played it so much at some point he wore the finish off the middle part of the back of the neck, from fret 4 to about 11... It had been oversprayed but you could still see the grunge ground into the grain of the wood. It developed a problem with the CC pickup in the neck right after I got it so I sent it to master repair ace Pete Moreno - when he was at Gibson he did the CC installs. Anyway at my insistence he built a whole new wiring harness, reattached the CC pickup and did a total buff out, fret level and setup. It came back looking so doggone good.

Gotta wonder where that cat played (one owner bought it in 1940, passed in 1962) and what it saw... Here's a before shot (inside) and after.

[johnnyjazz]

Man, that worn area at the neck is sick, as is the whole git.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Man, that worn area at the neck is sick, as is the whole git.

Isn’t it great, what a find. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfect for me. My first L5 sure turned out to be a doozie. And the two pickups: the CC is very loud, and glassy, the P90 dark and greasy, opposite of what I expected. Amazing.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Hot dang fellas, got a chance to run out on the porch and quickly shoot these... She's so pretty...
Enjoy

[BigMikeinNJ]

[QAman]

A real beauty with great patina . Nothing like an old L5 Mike .