Gibson L-10 custom shop reissue

[QAman]

.. a whopper!!

Yes-Jim D’Aquisto always used that term to describe his guitars as they were nearing completion and he was tap tuning the body.

[QAman]

I wish you luck finding one of the rare natural reissues. Here's one from an old Musician's Friend ad.

It’s like a needle in a hat stack . Someone mentioned that they made less than 50 of these limited run guitars . I tried confirming that with Terry Greene from Gibson , but he could not disclose shipping totals.

I’m so glad I found this one and will keep looking for another . What makes this guitar so special are a few things ; it’s a 3.125 body depth , it has the 24-3/4 scale, mahogany neck, and they were all tap tuned under “hutch’s “ tutelage. Add on a Monteleone bridge - and you have a cocktail of refinement that oozes tone and sustain. I’m just loving this guitar !

[JazzNote]

I sure much envy you guys over there to have access to all these beauties. But this doesn't prevent me from feeling very happy for you when you succeed to make a valuable acquisition like this L10 reissue. Congratulations Steve!

[LtKojak]

Oh, man... that gassed pickguard brings tears to my eyes...

[QAman]

I sure much envy you guys over there to have access to all these beauties. But this doesn't prevent me from feeling very happy for you when you succeed to make a valuable acquisition like this L10 reissue. Congratulations Steve!

Thanks Beat. I actually found this one in Madrid Spain, but most of my buys are in the USA. At some point in the future - I will likely sell many of these guitars- and members on this forum will have an opportunity to buy some fine instruments.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Oh, man... that gassed pickguard brings tears to my eyes...

No, kidding. That came off immediately and went into quarantine.

[Max405]

Very very nice QA.
Its funny, I saw that guitar on Reverb and I drooled over it. But I was concerned about the binding. That and the fretboard extension made me question it’s authenticity.
I am glad you knew it was right and pulled the trigger on that beauty.
About the Picture of Mr Monteleone.. are either one of those, “the bench”.

Man, you are having some serious fun. I’m happy for you QA.

[QAman]

Very very nice QA.
Its funny, I saw that guitar on Reverb and I drooled over it. But I was concerned about the binding. That and the fretboard extension made me question it’s authenticity.
I am glad you knew it was right and pulled the trigger on that beauty.
About the Picture of Mr Monteleone.. are either one of those, “the bench”.

Man, you are having some serious fun. I’m happy for you QA.

Max,
Thanks bro. Its a very rare reissue with a big warm vibrant sound. Im really enjoying it. In the photo with John, the bench behind him to the left ( over his right shoulder) with the lamp is " the bench"- with all the original tools.

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[Max405]

Max,
Thanks bro. Its a very rare reissue with a big warm vibrant sound. Im really enjoying it. In the photo with John, the bench behind him to the left ( over his right shoulder) with the lamp is " the bench"- with all the original tools.

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oh my goodness.
What a treat. Unreal.
Enjoy the guitar buddy. I’m glad you got it. Way cool.

[rice_burner2000]

What a beauty. Congrats!


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[QAman]

What a beauty. Congrats!


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Thanks rice burner ! It sounds as good as it looks.

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[campusfive]

Man, I played one of those back when they came out, and it sounded like garbage compared to my Eastman 805 non-cut.
That said, it probably wasn't set up properly, and I have no doubt that a Monteleone bridge was a huge tonal upgrade.
Congrats on making it sing.

I had the same opinion of the Montana L-7C's when those came out, and I've always been surprised when people on here dig them. But, I suppose a proper set up and/or a proper bridge would probably make a huge difference.

[Stringswinger]

Man, I played one of those back when they came out, and it sounded like garbage compared to my Eastman 805 non-cut.
That said, it probably wasn't set up properly, and I have no doubt that a Monteleone bridge was a huge tonal upgrade.
Congrats on making it sing.

I had the same opinion of the Montana L-7C's when those came out, and I've always been surprised when people on here dig them. But, I suppose a proper set up and/or a proper bridge would probably make a huge difference.

I have played one of the Montana L-7s at a dealers showroom and was seriously underwhelmed. But so too have I been seriously underwhelmed with several Gibson acoustic archtops from the golden era, including a couple of L-5s. Every piece of wood is different.

Congrats again QAman on scoring a good one. You took a risk and it paid off.

[QAman]

Stringswinger/Campusfive

I too have played many Gibson Archtops that were uninspiring - none more than in recent years. Acoustically, the current Gibson Archtop offerings are very heavy and lack volume- and are meant to be plugged in. I actually had to search through TMZ inventory to select an acceptable L5 a few years ago. I don’t plug in - so I’m more concerned with acoustic characteristics.

In speaking with John Monteleone last Friday , he said the rosewood bridges on Gibson Archtops are not very good , nor are they the best conductor of tone or volume - and ebony is far superior.

Perhaps this may seem like a generalization , but John has worked with both materials for many years and I trust his opinion. Neither him or Jimmy D put rosewood bridges on their Archtop guitars. Like John said “ why rob the guitar of it’s full potential”. Bridge setup is also critical. The slightest irregularities in string notching in the saddle can affect sound and a master Luthier knows this- and can really bring out the best in a guitar.

Madagascar ebony is very dense and a great conductor of tone. This guitar has a fat warm sound with organ like sustain. I have this guitar sitting out on a stand and when I pluck the low E it vibrates the floor and it’s loud . I have it strung with 12-52’s phosphor bronze.

Perhaps I got lucky , but one thing for sure - Its a very rare guitar and I’m grateful to have found one. Like Jimmy D use
to say “ it’s a whopper” .

[brianwbarr]

I wish you luck finding one of the rare natural reissues. Here's one from an old Musician's Friend ad.

I've got it. Wish I had more photos on hand but it is my most interesting and rare gibson. Plays a dream. No aftermarket bridge from Monteleone- however mine wasn't routed for the electronics. The back is some of the best bookmatched flame I have ever seen. I was originally told there were 3 guitars that were NAMM pieces. 2 sunburst, and 1 natural. Hard to say if thats the case. Will post more photos soon.

[RJVB]

Will post more photos soon.

This thread needs soundbites!

[Jabberwocky]

Unicorn!

[QAman]

I've got it. Wish I had more photos on hand but it is my most interesting and rare gibson. Plays a dream. No aftermarket bridge from Monteleone- however mine wasn't routed for the electronics. The back is some of the best bookmatched flame I have ever seen. I was originally told there were 3 guitars that were NAMM pieces. 2 sunburst, and 1 natural. Hard to say if thats the case. Will post more photos soon.

Congrats !! It’s a beauty and I’m sure it sounds wonderful. These are Hutch period builds that will resonate with some buyers. At first glance you might wonder about neck straightness with the extension, but mine is laser straight and yours is probably the same.

These guitars were built with fine spruce tips and highly figured wood - and the the 24-3/4 scale
plays effortlessly.

When I look back 4 years ago, I’m really glad I bought one of these.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment!


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[RJVB]

Unicorn!

Indeed, to the point that I have yet to find a single YT video showing one of these. Or in fact of Chet Atkins playing the original!

EDIT: there's this though:

(wonder how processed that sound is ... if that's natural room reverb that guitar sounds sublime!)

[Jabberwocky]

That 16" 1929 L10 was sold by Bernunzio's. The asking price was $4000. This L10 is purportedly a 16" L5 in black dress with a maple neck and ebony fretboard.

I have a 17" 1939 L10. It was resprayed, has two small divots in the top from some pickup that was installed, has a replacement tailpiece but is otherwise original. It is very much a player's guitar. I love it as part of Gibson's storied history. It also gives me something to talk about to my friends who visit.

[RJVB]

That 16" 1929 L10 was sold by Bernunzio's. The asking price was $4000. This L10 is purportedly a 16" L5 in black dress with a maple neck and ebony fretboard.

Is that why it sounds so good?

[Jabberwocky]

Is that why it sounds so good?

I guess so. Some L10s left the factory that were L5s in black dress.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Interesting to see this thread revived. For anyone interested, here is the post-restoration version of the L-10 I posted above.

[zizala]

TRM.....Thats a beautiful restoration!
And so nice to see the two wonderful 17" reissues posted in this thread.

Here's my 1922 Mom posing with a 1932 L-10 I once owned.

This one had solid braces (no kerfs) and a mahogany neck with a comfy C shaped profile.
A fine sounding 16" Gibson archtop of that era.

During a time of need, I let the L-10 go. Not long after, Mom passed at 96 in July of 2019.
Needless to say I miss them both!

z

[wintermoon]

what's the point of the extension, especially on a non cut guitar?
just curious