-
To all of you Gibson experts: I have been strictly a modern jazz guitar owner up until now. Bill Comins is my current favorite luthier followed closely by Steve Holst. All of the raves about Gibson L5CES's have perked my interest in adding one to the stable. My problem is that anything larger than a 16 inch lower bout is a non starter because of physical limitations I have. What "vintage" Gibson models with that size lower bout (plus ~ 3 inch width, hollow body, carved top, solid woods) most closely mimic the L5CES tone that everyone loves? I know nothing about the Gibson brand. Scale length is not an issue for me, just the lower bout width.
Thx
Eric
-
01-21-2019 11:04 AM
-
L4CES would *probably* be the closest. 16" carved top, 2 pickups.
-
Gibson 16" guitars are 24.75" scale. Many have mahogany necks with rosewood fingerboards. Most have mahogany back and sides. (That pretty L4 above has plywood back and sides.)
Smaller guitar + shorter scale + different woods = different enough to be different.
On the other hand, as often noted we gearheads tend to make giant differences out of small distinctions.
-
I reckon the Es 175 is out of the question, since it has laminate woods? It is THE iconic 16' Gibson, with a musical legacy comparable to that of the L5
-
Not necessarily. I'm gathering information to help identify possible choices. I will play it exclusively electric so tone is more important than materials. Thanks for the input!
Originally Posted by Alter
Eric
-
I found a 97 in great shape. Are there specific years where the construction / tone are preferred? Originally Posted by Woody Sound
L4CES would *probably* be the closest. 16" carved top, 2 pickups.
Eric
-
Attachment 59313
The newer L4 is all carved with mahogany back and sides. No maple.
-
Gibson archtops from the 90's are, IMO, as good as any, if not the best.
+1 on the 175, a truly iconic guitar.
-
Electric tones of ES 175 and L5 are not a night and day (in the big scheme of guitars). Subtle differences are probably mostly due to the size, scale length and solid vs laminate. If there was a 16 inch L5, it would've been yet another subtly different Gibson arcthop that's neither 175 nor L5 but in a way more or less the same thing as both.
Last edited by Tal_175; 01-21-2019 at 03:05 PM.
-
A 1997 L4CES has laminated curly maple back and rim. Sometime in 2004, the Gibson Custom Shop switched to carving it out of mahogany for the back and bending it out of mahogany for the rim. Gibson also made the occasional one with one neck pickup. Between 1989 and 1992, the Gibson L4CES was made with laminated mahogany for the back and rim, much like the ES-175 of that era. Originally Posted by Cincy2
2009 Gibson L-4CES, Single Pickup
2010 Gibson L-4CES
There was a mid-90s L-4CES in Tangerine Burst. I don't think there are any good or bad years; it is one of the most consistently made guitars from Gibson. A real sleeper in the line up as used ones in mint condition could often be found selling for under $3000 for the Antique Burst ones and the Natural ones. The asking prices seem to have gone up terribly (for the buyer) in recently years. The Crimson Custom L-4CES-es were priced up the wazoo. Last MAP before Henry J left the building was $7850 for the L-4CES Natural. I don't know if the new Gibson CS plans to issue it regularly.
The 24.75" scale length lends it a soft velvety dulcet tone. It feeds back at loud volumes so those Doug's Plugs will be very helpful. It is a real handful measuring about 3.375" at the rim. That makes it feel fat as it has a smaller 16" lower bout compared to the L-5CES 17" lower bout.
I really like the L-4CES. It was my entry to Gibson archtops. I have two: a 2000 L-4CES with laminated maple that I got from Rudy's SOHO and the aforementioned 2010 L-4CESN with one neck pickup that I got from Joe V. These will be the last archtops that I sell when the time comes to let them all go to new stewards.
-
The Lee Rit is there too, but is a little smaller than 16.
-
Thanks Rene. You are always a fountain of knowledge. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Eric
-
How about the L-5 Signature.....basically an L5 with a 15.5" lower bout, if I'm not mistaken.
-
Yep. The L-5 Lee Ritenour Signature is your best bet. 15.5" lower bout and construction otherwise like the L-5CES. Superb guitar.
Here's the prototype for sale: Gibson Lee Ritenour 2003 "Sunburst" Prototype | Reverb
-
Hmmm....I would not consider a guitar with a floater to have construction like an L-5 CES. YMMV Originally Posted by Greentone
Gibson has made small bout L-5's in recent years.
-
I think there's an L4CES still available from a member here - check back For Sale postings....
-
L-5 CES Signature, 15.5" x 2 & 5/8", 25.4" scale
Danny W.
-
The L5CES Signature is one model I wish Gibson CS would reintroduce but with a 24.75" or 25" scale length so that the bridge sits right at the f-holes. The bridge pickup is probably going to be too close to the neck though.
The new Gibson CS should just continue to make small runs of its archtops for its world market, one or two of each model per month. One for Japan, two for the USA. January collection, February collection, etc...each one with special colours or features. Or go by the seasons. Just a few of each archtop model. Get imaginative, JC. You came from Levi's.
-
[QUOTE=Jabberwocky;927638]The L5CES Signature is one model I wish Gibson CS would reintroduce but with a 24.75" or 25" scale length so that the bridge sits right at the f-holes. The bridge pickup is probably going to be too close to the neck though.
/QUOTE]
Gibson arches the top properly for the bridge location. I've been playing this model for sixteen years, so the proportions look right to me and 17" models look wrong.
Danny W.
-
You da man. Originally Posted by Danny W.
L-5 CES Signature, 15.5" x 2 & 5/8", 25.4" scale
-
I'll bet you could squeeze another one on that couch if you got rid of those cushions!
Originally Posted by Danny W.
L-5 CES Signature, 15.5" x 2 & 5/8", 25.4" scale
Danny W.
-
Beautiful! There's a meme I can't find with the wording "can't get family to eat together. Has 100 guitar couch shots". Originally Posted by Danny W.
L-5 CES Signature, 15.5" x 2 & 5/8", 25.4" scale
Danny W.
-
I think you're missing one: Originally Posted by Danny W.
-
Aha - does this sound slightly smoother than a 175 due to the pickup moved to fingerboard. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
L4CES would *probably* be the closest. 16" carved top, 2 pickups.
Should be able to get the typical 175 tone by picking slightly closer ( slightly ) to bridge ....but then get a really soft attack if you want...with PU here.
The really silly part is when someone makes a thinline Guitar and sticks the PU away from Fingerboard.....?
A 775 and this Guitar are really close in Tones ?
-
Case in point: Close your eyes and tell what guitar in coming out of your speakers. Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
IMO any L5 would be happy to sound like that!
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos