Gibson L-5C Premier

[FredH]

I've managed to find a brand new Gibson l5 c premier. A store in Michigan purchased it from Gibson in 2014 and for the past 4 years it has been in an acoustic glass case, unplayed. I found it on Reverb and just assumed it was no longer available - since it had been there for months. I was stunned when he told me it was "still for sale and that he wanted to find it a good home "

So I negotiated a fair price and two days later it arrived. My initial impressions is that was a high quality instrument. Those impressions are unchanged to date. I have only two questions that you all might be able to help clarify. Not sure of the string gauge and there is nothing in the paperwork to confirm the gauge. It's definitely a heavier gauge, maybe a 12 or possibly a 13. Does anyone out there know for certain. The strings were not changed by the dealer and assume they were factory issue.

It also came with the tuneomatic bridge - which I usually do not like. But this one sounds very good and I am hesitant to swap it out for an ebony one - at least at this point. Any thoughts about this? I have a 98 WesMo with an ebony bridge and it's hard - surprisingly- to tell the difference. Thanks for your help.

[Bebop Tom]

An acoustic arch top really should have a wooden bridge saddle. The Wes L5 comes with a tuneamatic. I recommend swapping the saddles between those guitars and deciding if you like them better that way. You can always buy another saddle if you prefer them both with the same type of saddle.

[FredH]

Thanks, Tom. Great suggestion!

[Dennis D]

Congrats ! I'd been watching that guitar for a while too !

Had the store been closer, I would have driven there, trade in hand..

Enjoy it in good health !!

[FredH]

Sorry that I didn't see the pics and the rest of your comment. I suspected they were 13s, as I usually use 11s or 12s. I agree it's a great guitar. Mine also has the BJB pickup. I thought that I read that a very limited number were made (20?) And only for one year.

Thanks to all you guys for the comments. I think this one is a real keeper. Unfortunately, that's what I say about most of my here. GAS...I suspect many of us have diagnosed with the same joyful condition.

[FredH]

Yes, Vinney. Mine looks just like yours. Thanks for the family photo????.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I can’t speak from experience with an L5-C, but when I swapped out the tune-o-matic on my 2003 X-braced Super 400 for an ebony saddle, it made a world of difference as an acoustic guitar. It was already great with the neck mounted 57 Classic when plugged in, but as an acoustic, the ebony saddle yielded a gain in volume and complexity.

[FredH]

Thanks, Man. I've done the same thing with some of my other archtops, so I completely agree with you. Many of my friends feel the same way. Wood produces a woodier, more complex and interesting sound.

[jads57]

I'm not sure I'd agree with the wood bridge analogy. I have an Elferink Tonemaster archtop 16.5" x3" with a floating p/up and I replaced the the stock ebony bridge with a Wayne Compton brass bridge and it improved the sustain and overall tone in my opinion.
I like the strings to ring clear and loud!


Brass Custom Bridge....Giving a more Jazzy Blues tone with good sustain. | Compton Compensated Custom Bridges

[rabbit]

Gotta try it both ways.

I don't have an elite fiddle like your L-5 but I'm lucky to
have some nice things and they go "both ways."

With an instrument like yours you simply can't not try; otherwise you're trading
the potential reality for guesswork.

With luck you can slide a new ebony bridge right onto your existing base.

In any event, congratulations on your new guitar!

[Bluedawg]

Very cool

great guitars

Came really close to buying one myself

Will have to keep an eye out for one when my savings recovers from my last purchase ..

and some other stuff

[vinnyv1k]

I love the woody sound of a ebony bridge but not if it sacrifices sustain. Sometimes you get lucky and get the best of both worlds. I have had wood bridges sustain just like metal and others decay really fast. I had Bill Gagnon build me a nice ebony bridge for my Wesmo but I lost too much sustain so the metal one went back on. Certainly worth a try. Wood sounds more naturally organic.

[Stringswinger]

I love the woody sound of a ebony bridge but not if it sacrifices sustain. Sometimes you get lucky and get the best of both worlds. I have had wood bridges sustain just like metal and others decay really fast. I had Bill Gagnon build me a nice ebony bridge for my Wesmo but I lost too much sustain so the metal one went back on. Certainly worth a try. Wood sounds more naturally organic.

My Wesmo is WAY more acoustic with a wood saddle. My 2017 Figured ES-175 was a disappointment to me until I put a rosewood saddle on (One of the ones that you gave me Vinny, Thanks again!), and now it has become my number one gigging guitar. IMO, a full size, hollow archtop should have a wood saddle.

[Uncle Vinnie]

Did you get it at a place called Huber Breese in Fraser? I think I've seen it.

[Pat Clare]

If it sounds good keep it.

[silverfoxx]

My Wesmo is WAY more acoustic with a wood saddle. My 2017 Figured ES-175 was a disappointment to me until I put a rosewood saddle on (One of the ones that you gave me Vinny, Thanks again!), and now it has become my number one gigging guitar. IMO, a full size, hollow archtop should have a wood saddle.

+1 to that. I had two African Blackwood Bridges made by Bill Gagnon , a few years ago
one for my L5CES, the other for my L4CES, greatly improved the tone, on both, with no
audible loss of sustain, I could do with another for my WEsmo too.

[FredH]

Yep. That's where I found it. Had a good experience with them. They were easy to work with and did everything they said they would do. I had been looking for one, and as you know, they are pretty rare. There was a blonde l5 c Premiere for sale on ebay...but it was in Japan and way over priced. I felt lucky that I found this one.

[vinnyv1k]

Personally I like the wooden saddles that Matt Cushman makes. I think the design is superior over the Gagnon.
Not to mention Matt is a great guy and good luck trying to get a Gagnon these days.
I think I will get Matt to make me a few.

I believe the 2014 L5P was a wise investment. Because of how few were made and how good they sound they will most certainly go up in value down the road especially with the floater lovers.
I think they sound better than a LeGrand. Just IMO which only counts for me. I really like the old school 3 piece neck vs the modern 5 piece. The bracing is unique to this 2014 model. Not X or P.

[FredH]

Thanks. I'm leaning toward that...

[Bluedawg]

Personally I like the wooden saddles that Matt Cushman makes. I think the design is superior over the Gagnon.
Not to mention Matt is a great guy and good luck trying to get a Gagnon these days.
I think I will get Matt to make me a few.

I believe the 2014 L5P was a wise investment. Because of how few were made and how good they sound they will most certainly go up in value down the road especially with the floater lovers.
I think they sound better than a LeGrand. Just IMO which only counts for me. I really like the old school 3 piece neck vs the modern 5 piece. The bracing is unique to this 2014 model. Not X or P.

Your making me wish I had picked up an L5P when I had a chance ....

I went for a Super 400 instead ... which still has many more payments in my future before its paid off and I can start thinking about my next guitar hunt ... at least it's interest free as long as I make the minimum payments on time

Based on my personal Le Grand and the L5Ps I played ... I would say they are very different animals ...

The L5P sounds like what it is IMHO ... it sounds like an L5 with a floating pickup

The Le Grand is along the lines of a Johnny Smith or Benedetto ... Gibson's answer to a boutique archtop with a floater IMHO

They both sound great to me

[Bluedawg]

Attachment 53485Attachment 53486


Nothing wrong with having both. Very different animals.

I already have an L5 CES and an L5 WES

Getting an L5P would have made 3 L5s for me … not that there's anything wrong with that

and no Super 400

Too many choices and not enough cash

[FredH]

Yes, I feel the same way. I also have a WesMo, an L7C, a HJS and an Epi Broadway Elitist...and they are all different. That's why I enjoy them, each with its own unique voice. As they say, "So many guitars...So little time....and money."

[FredH]

It's my favorite as well. My gigging guitar, practicing guitar. Mine came with the ebony bridge, so it's fairly loud acoustically. One of these days, I'd like to find a blonde WesMo, but after I sell some stuff and recover from the L5 C premier purchase. There's a blonde L5 C premier just listed on ebay....Japanese seller and way over priced IMO. $9k I think it's listed for.

For years I played 16 inch archtops, but once I started playing 17 inch, I actually preferred the neck and the richer sound of a carved top. There's just something about an L5. My friend has a 69 CES, age and road worn, but a sweeter guitar I gave never heard. You've got some nice looking WesMos my friend. Enjoy them in good health.

[wintermoon]

congrats on the new L5 Fred, I remember you posted about the Heritage, wasn't aware you had a Wesmo as well.
I had a feeling you'd end up w/ an L-5 sooner or later.
keep on doing what you do, send me an email if you're playing locally and I'll try to make it.

[vinnyv1k]

Frankly I do not think I have ever heard a bad sounding L5 regardless of the year. Even though the Super 400 is Gibson's flagship nothing can touch a L5 IMO. Very pricey yes but the sticker shock quickly fades after ownership.